A Jefferson County 911 dispatcher is being recognized statewide for her role in quickly helping law enforcement locate a homicide suspect, as the case heads to trial.
John Finney is set to appear in court today (Tuesday) for the death of his wife, Amy Finney. Dispatcher Grace Cole has been named the Illinois Sheriff’s Association Telecommunicator of the Year for 2025 for her actions during the investigation.
Working alone on September 1, 2025, Cole received a call from a man reporting his friend had admitted to killing his wife. Cole gathered key details, including the suspect’s license plate and incident location, and swiftly relayed this to law enforcement agencies while continuing to handle other emergency calls.
Authorities later stopped Finney in rural Du Quoin, where they found Amy Finney deceased in the back seat of his vehicle. Investigators believe the shooting occurred at the couple’s Jefferson County home.
The Illinois Sheriff’s Association credited Cole’s quick thinking, phone tracing, and coordination between agencies for the fast apprehension. She was honored at the association’s winter conference in Springfield.
Sheriff Jeff Bullard noted this is the seventh time in seven years a member of the sheriff’s office has received statewide recognition.