COLLINSVILLE – Lt. Wilbert “Bud” Jeremias marked the end of a long law enforcement career on Friday, May 8, 2026. He retired after more than 20 years with the Collinsville Police Department in Illinois, the department said.
Jeremias began his full-time policing career on May 13, 1998, and joined the Collinsville Police Department on Oct. 3, 2005, after serving at the East St. Louis Police Department.
Over his time at Collinsville, Jeremias served as a patrolman, K9 handler, detective, and field training officer, according to the department. The Collinsville Police Department said that as a field training officer and instructor with the Southwestern Illinois Police Academy, he mentored current law enforcement officers.
Beginning his career as a patrolman, Jeremias later held roles including patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, patrol lieutenant, and investigations lieutenant, the department said.
The Collinsville Police Department said Jeremias was a member of the Major Case Squad and achieved the distinction of deputy commander. He was also a member of MEGSI and served on the Child Death Investigation Task Force, according to the department.
In 2012, Jeremias received the Collinsville Police Department’s top honor when he was selected as Officer of the Year.
“We thank Bud for his dedicated service to the Collinsville Police Department,” the department said in a statement. “Your efforts in service to the residents of Collinsville will live on throughout our department and community.”
