A detective with the Collinsville Police Department that helped extract a confession from the man accused of shooting the owner of Ferguson TV, VCR and Satellite Service in Caseyville was named the City of Collinsville Employee of the Month for November.

Mayor John Miller (left) and Detective Bud Jeremias

Bud Jeremias assisted Caseyville Police during the investigation of the Nov. 14 shooting. Phillip W. Smith, 32, of Caseyville, confessed on video to robbing and shooting Ferguson six times, according to a statement from the City of Collinsville.

Jeremias also resolved several burglary cases in Collinsville, including one that involved a heroin user. The Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois – a drug task force – is using information gained during the investigation of the cases involving the user to make additional criminal cases against local heroin dealers and users.

In early November, Jeremias investigated a burglary at a home on West Clay Street. The suspect gained entry to the house by a 6-10 inch gap beneath a garage door that was not completely closed. The homeowner’s purse, identification, ATM card and credit cards were taken.

In his extensive follow-up investigation, Jeremias tracked down a person using some of the stolen items, found video for all transactions and identified a suspect. In addition to the West Clay Street burglary, the suspect confessed to another burglary and multiple thefts.