Former Du Quoin Chief of Police Vallie D. West Dies at 80

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Vallie D. West, who served Du Quoin as its towering chief of police for 15 years and later the Perry County Board of Commissioners for six years during Perry County's coal-rich era, has died at the age of 80.

Vallie was owner and operator of Southern Illinois Petrol until he retired. He had been Du Quoin Police Chief. He had served two terms as Perry County Commissioner and was on the Du Quoin National Bank board.

He built a huge tire and petroleum business during Perry County's golden era of mining and was a high profile member of the Democrat party during his tenure on the Perry County board.

As a retired Du Quoin Chief of Police, he was also instrumental in helping establish the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, the region's very first organized initiative against growing drug problems.

You always knew where Vallie stood in business and in politics. He wasn't afraid to say what he thought. He was afflicted with a hearing disability much of his life, but always found the means to both hear what others said and firmly communicate his own ideas.

He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

He was a Shriner and a member of the Du Quoin Masonic Lodge.

He is survived by his wife of Du Quoin, one daughter - Valerie Rice and husband James L. of Du Quoin, one granddaughter - Dawn Galbraith and husband Cale of Du Quoin, three great grandchildren - Alec Galbraith, Addison Galbraith, and Sydney Galbraith, and two sisters - Norma McCurdy and husband Jim and Janet Erwin and husband Kenneth, all of Pinckneyville.

Searby Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.