Justice was finally served in Knox County, Illinois, this week. A woman named Marcy Oglesby was sentenced to 50 years in prison for slowly and cruelly killing her longtime boyfriend, Richard Young. Now, this wasn’t just any man—Young was the former police chief of a small town called Maquon. He was a man who dedicated his life to serving and protecting others. And the way he died was something no one, especially a man like him, should ever have to endure.
Oglesby didn’t use a gun or a knife. She didn’t even lash out in a moment of rage. What she did was much colder. Over several months back in 2021, she poisoned Chief Young by putting eye drops in his food and drinks. The chemical in those drops, tetrahydrozoline, is meant to reduce redness in the eyes. But when swallowed, it can be deadly. And that’s exactly what happened.
This wasn’t a one-time mistake. She did it over and over, slowly watching his health get worse. According to the prosecutors, she poisoned him throughout the summer and fall. Young died on November 1, 2021. And instead of calling authorities or trying to help him, Oglesby stuffed his body into a storage unit across the street from their home. She left him there for nearly a year. His body was only found in October 2022.
Let that sink in for a moment. A man who spent decades serving his community, a man who took an oath to protect and defend, was left to rot in a storage container by someone who claimed to love him. That’s not just murder—it’s betrayal of the highest order.
At the sentencing hearing, Knox County State’s Attorney Ashley Worby didn’t hold back. She said Oglesby killed a man who had loved her for nearly 30 years. But she didn’t just kill him—she poisoned him and watched as he suffered. That kind of evil doesn’t belong in our communities. It doesn’t belong in a free nation.
Young’s friends and loved ones showed up in court to speak for him, since he couldn’t speak for himself. One of them, Natalie Mason, said it best: “Rick was always there for everyone. It didn’t matter if you were friend or foe. He stood watch over our community for many, many years.” That’s the kind of man he was. The kind of man this country needs more of.
Oglesby was convicted back in June and showed no real remorse. In fact, she denied that a murder even took place. She admitted to keeping his body in their home for three days and talking to him, but claimed she didn’t kill anyone. That’s not just disturbing—it’s dangerous. A person who can convince themselves they did nothing wrong after such cruelty is a threat to everyone around them.
Thankfully, the court saw through her lies. The judge handed down a 50-year sentence. That means Oglesby, now 53, will likely spend the rest of her life behind bars. She’ll also get credit for the 326 days she spent in jail before the trial. She’s trying to get a new trial, but that hearing won’t happen until November 6. Given the facts, it’s hard to imagine any court giving her another chance.
This case reminds us why law and order matter. It shows the importance of strong communities and strong men like Richard Young. And it reminds us that evil doesn’t always come with a weapon in hand—it can come with a smile and a spoonful of poison.
As a veteran, I’ve seen what real sacrifice looks like. Chief Young made that sacrifice every day he wore that badge. He deserved better, and now the woman who betrayed him will pay the price. Justice was slow in coming, but it came. Let’s hope it brings some peace to those who knew and loved him.
