Authorities say former Lake County Fair board member shot to death
Authorities say an investigation continues into the death of former Lake County Fair Association board member Harry Dahms, found shot to death in the driveway of his Russell home near the Wisconsin border.
Lake County sheriff's police announced Monday they want the public's help in finding the killer of the 68-year-old Dahms. He joined the fair board in 1986 and served about 18 years.
Coroner Artis Yancey said an autopsy revealed Dahms, of the 14000 block of Russell Road in unincorporated Lake County, was found dead of a single gunshot wound to his head about 8:30 a.m. Friday. Dahms was pronounced dead at the scene when his body was found Friday morning, authorities said.
Yancey said the gunshot was not self-inflicted and the case has been officially ruled a homicide.
Sheriff's police Sgt. Karen Kates said officers received a tip about a man down in the driveway of Dahms' white, two-story farm house.
Dahms was last seen alive at that home about 10:10 p.m. on Thursday, Kates said. She didn't have information on his marital status.
Police said Dahms, who stood about 6 feet tall with a heavyset build, was last seen wearing a dark shirt and khaki-colored shorts with tan work boots.
Dahms' “typical hangouts” were Truck Stops of America and Toor's Truck Stop, on Russell Road just west of the Tri-State Tollway, according to Kates. She could not say what brought Dahms to the truck stops.
She said Dahms also was known to frequent 45 North Bar & Grill near Antioch and a BP gasoline station on the 8000 block of Sheridan Road in Kenosha.
Gregory Koeppen, executive director of the Lake County Farm Bureau, said Dahms was a good friend to his organization and the fair. Koeppen said Dahms dedicated countless hours of time and talent to make the former Lake County Fairgrounds — at routes 120 and 45 in Grayslake — a place that could be enjoyed year-round.
“Personally, I knew Harry as a simple guy who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it,” Koeppen said. “He will be missed by his Lake County Fair family and friends. His murder truly is a tragedy.”
Dahms was known for fixing old buildings where the fair and other events were held until a new facility opened in 2009 at Peterson and Midlothian roads in Grayslake.
Longtime Lake County Fair board attorney Rudolph Magna of Gurnee knew Dahms in a professional capacity. He said Dahms was a committed volunteer who always believed in the fair's mission of agriculture and education.
Anyone with information regarding Dahms' death is urged to contact the Lake County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at (847) 377-4250. A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered by Lake County CrimeStoppers.