FOIA documents returned by City of Nokomis

NOKOMIS — Heartland Newsfeed filed an inquiry per the Freedom of Information Act last month with the City of Nokomis. The inquiry had a three-pronged target:

1. the internal review of now-former K9 Officer Nathan Brookshire
2. the resignation of Sgt. Racheal Ehrhardt from the department, and
3. the written order linked to Brookshire’s termination

Following a request to extend time on July 23, the City of Nokomis would return a response to the inquiry on Monday. The information is available in the following order:

The June 17, 2026 incident

A witness statement was written by Officer Benjamin Lomprez about the incident on June 17.

Lomprez notes that he inquired on who was on the night shift for patrol. Then-Chief of Police Earin Land would note that Brookshire would be on duty. However, Brookshire had not reported for duty; he was due for the shift change at 6 p.m.

Several attempts to call Brookshire’s cell phone would go unanswered. Chief Land and Lomprez was planning on performing a welfare check on Brookshire. However, Officer Brookshire would call back and reported for work late, sometime between 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Lomprez noted that Brookshire appeared tired, as if he hadn’t slept the night before. After about 15-20 minutes, Lomprez offered to ride along with Brookshire, in which there was no objection.

Lomprez attested to Brookshire continuing to drop items, which Chief Land would pick up after him. All of this was happening as Land, Lomprez and Witt Chief of Police Dalton King were discussing details on a missing juvenile.

Events unfolding at Casey’s General Store

Lomprez and Brookshire would proceed to Casey’s General Store. Upon pulling in and parking, Brookshire spilled a Diet Coke all over the squad car. Lomprez proceeded to clean up the mess, grabbing napkins for cleanup.

They both went inside to purchase something to eat and drink, and went back inside the squad car.

Lomprez noted that someone approached the squad car and was speaking to Brookshire. During that interaction, the person said several times that Brookshire “looked out of it,” asking if he was okay. The individual would later leave, and Brookshire went inside to purchase a vaporizing device (vape).

Lomprez went back inside to wash his hands. Before reaching the restroom, someone asked if he was a police officer. He said that he was a code enforcement officer and asked what he could assist with. That person proceed to describe Brookshire’s conduct. In that description, it was stated that Brookshire had pulled out his Taser from the holster, thinking it was his wallet.

Upon leaving the restroom, Lomprez noticed ten people in line behind Brookshire, who was trying to find his wallet. Lomprez spotted the wallet inside the driver’s side door pocket.

As he went back inside to give Brookshire his wallet, Chiefs Land and King came into the store behind him.

All four went outside the store after Brookshire paid for his items. It was stated that a complaint was received. Lomprez presented his understanding of the events with Land.

Brookshire came over and was very upset about the complaint about the situation. He would take off in his squad vehicle to a location close to Casey’s.

King would then tell Lomprez to return to the police department, grab his belongings, and go home for the night.

Chief Land’s notes on the incident

Land’s written notes stipulate that a complaint was filed with the Nokomis Police Department at 7:45 p.m., citing that Brookshire was acting weird. He was later noticed that Brookshire had left the premises.

Land noted speaking to Brookshire at his residence at 8:05 p.m. At that time, Brookshire was told to offload gear. It appears there was an attempt to send Brookshire to the Hillsboro Health ER, but was stopped by severe weather or a tornado warning. Land would drop off Brookshire at home to make the squad vehicle available to another officer.

Another conversation between Land and Brookshire took place for about an hour and change at 10:30 p.m. During that conversation, Brookshire would admit that he had two drinks before heading into work.

Two days later, Chief Land spoke with the complaintant, who dismissed the incident as “Nate being Nate.” Later that day, Land watched the security video at the store, which reveals that the Taser was indeed drawn. It was determined that day that Brookshire would be placed on paid administrative leave.

Pursuit of an external investigation

On June 22, Chief Land spoke with Capt. Jamie Brunnworth, Troop 8 Commander, with the Illinois State Police. The intent was to start an external investigation by the state police.

Brunnworth would state that without a complaint, charges would not be referred to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s office. Without a complaint, the Illinois State Police was not interested in pursuing an external investigation. This was witnessed by Mayor Dylan Goldsmith.

Land would press further that he cannot investigate “interim appearances” for possible criminal acts. He would need a decision from the agency.

Land would follow up two days later on June 24, with a request to call. He never received a return call from Brunnworth.

Brookshire’s placement on administrative leave

An internal memorandum to Officer Brookshire by Chief Land was issued at 6 p.m. on June 19.

“Subsequent to the ongoing investigation, you are hereby notified that you are placed on paid administrative leave, effective immediately, until the completion of the investigation,” the memo stated. “The leave may be extended upon conclusion of the investigation if findings so warrant.”

Brookshire was still required to check in for his weekday shifts by calling the department’s general office number between 9 a.m. and noon.

Under the conditions of the administrative leave, Brookshire would still be responsible for the ongoing care of K9 Luna. In addition, Brookshire was to surrender all department badges and IDs by June 22.

It was during the same day that Mayor Goldsmith would release a news release on the incident.

Illinois State Police doesn’t pursue external investigation

Additional documentation was provided on Chief Land’s attempt to pursue an external investigation with the Illinois State Police.

The email, with some redacted information, proves the follow-up outreach to pursue action.

An undated response from Capt. Brunnworth stated that the victim in the incident was not wishing to pursue charges.

That would essentially allow any internal action by the Nokomis Police Department or the City of Nokomis.

The Brunnworth response was to follow-up communications following the resignation of Land as Chief of Police. Sgt. Racheal Ehrhardt engaged in a follow-up communication dated July 2, asking for confirmation.

This would further be confirmed by a lack of response to a FOIA request submitted to the Illinois State Police.

Recommended action

A memorandum was submitted to Mayor Goldsmith on July 2 from Ehrhardt on behalf of the police department.

It confirms that Troop 8 declined to investigate the matter. Therefore, the police department would continue its internal disciplinary action.

The recommended discliplinary action was heavily redacted.

Many layers to Ehrhardt resignation

A resignation letter submitted July 13 by Sgt. Racheal Ehrhardt reveals many additional issues relating to the Nokomis Police Department.

Ehrhardt specifies several items as reasons for her resignation. She specifies sexual discrimination, improper actions surrounding criminal misconduct, and continued insubordination among those reasons. She specified Mayor Goldsmith’s friendship with Brookshire, and that closing the Nokomis Police Department was the only path forward.

Ehrhardt further notes the Nokomis City Council’s failure to consider her for the role of interim or acting chief.

“Under normal circumstances, I would provide the customary two weeks’ notice,” Sgt. Ehrhardt said. “However, given the circumstances described above and the lack of respect I believe has been shown to me, I do not believe extending that notice is appropriate.”

City of Nokomis: Findings of fact and decision

The City of Nokomis revealed on July 27 its findings of fact and City Council decision regarding the internal review of Officer Nathan Brookshire.

It would note that Brookshire received a written notice of contemplated action on July 15 and that termination was being considered.

Brookshire was given ample time to response to the notice prior to the special meeting on July 17, with city attorney Chris Sherer and union representation present. He would also respond further in writing before the special meeting.

Brookshire was not present at the meeting that would result in his firing.

The findings of fact would recap the events of June 17, 2026. It would further reveal multiple violations of the department’s rules of conduct.

Full response

Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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