Eric Paulsen has over 27 years of law enforcement experience, working for the Illinois State Police for over 24 years from 1999 to 2023. While at the Illinois State Police, Eric served as a Patrol Trooper, K-9 Handler, Patrol Sergeant, and Patrol Master Sergeant in District 16/Troop. Prior to that, Eric worked at the Boone County Sheriff’s Department for 3 years from 1996 to 1999 as a Patrol Deputy. Eric graduated from Carthage College in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree majoring in Criminal Justice and double minoring in Sociology and Political Science. Prior to becoming a police officer, Eric worked for his family’s construction business, Paulsen Paving and Excavating, which was a business based in Woodstock. There, Eric worked as a laborer and truck driver. In his free time, Eric enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, deer hunting, fishing, and ice fishing.