BELLEVILLE — Belleville Police Chief Matthew S. Eiskant, a lifelong member of the Belleville community who led the Belleville Police Department after more than 25 years of service, died at approximately 4:30 p.m. Aug. 24, 2026, following a battle with cancer, the department announced on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. He was 49 years old.“It is with profound sadness that the Belleville Police Department announces the passing of Chief of Police Matthew S. Eiskant,” the department said.Eiskant devoted his career to the department and the City of Belleville, serving first as a patrol officer and later advancing through every command rank before being appointed police chief on June 21, 2022.“To those of us who worked beside him, he was not only our Chief, but also a friend, mentor, and leader,” the department said. “His loss is deeply felt throughout our Department. We will honor him by continuing to serve this community with the same dedication and care he demonstrated throughout his career.”Eiskant graduated from Belleville East High School in 1995. He began his career with the Belleville Police Department on June 18, 2001, after graduating from the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy. He served as a patrol officer before joining the Detective Division in 2003.He was promoted to detective sergeant on Sept. 12, 2010; lieutenant on July 3, 2012; captain and special operations commander on June 25, 2016; and assistant chief of police on July 3, 2018.Eiskant also served the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis as an investigator, supervisor, deputy commander, and board member. His commendations included the Belleville Police Department Officer of the Year and Big Brothers Big Sisters Police Officer of the Year awards in 2008, as well as the Southern Illinois Police Chiefs Association Merit Award.He earned bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and sociology and a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Lindenwood University. He also graduated from FBI National Academy Session 257.“Chief Eiskant leaves a lasting legacy of leadership, professionalism, and devoted public service,” the department said. “His impact will continue through the officers and employees he led, the law-enforcement partners with whom he served, and the community he dedicated his career to protecting.”Funeral and memorial arrangements will be announced once finalized. Suggest a correction Prefer RiverBender on Google Copyright 2026 Riverbender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Suggest a correction × Your name Your email What needs corrected? Send Cancel /* --- Wrapper --- */ .rb-correct-wrap{ margin:24px 0 10px 0; text-align:center; } /* --- Buttons (MATCHED) --- */ .rb-correct-btn, .rb-google-source-btn{ display:inline-flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; gap:8px; padding:10px 14px; min-height:40px; border:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.20); border-radius:10px; background:#fff; font-size:14px; font-weight:500; line-height:1; text-decoration:none; color:#111; cursor:pointer; box-sizing:border-box; appearance:none; } .rb-correct-btn i, .rb-google-source-btn i{ font-size:16px; line-height:1; } .rb-correct-btn:hover, .rb-google-source-btn:hover{ background:#f6f6f6; text-decoration:none; } /* --- Layout --- */ .rb-correct-actions{ display:flex; justify-content:center; align-items:center; gap:10px; flex-wrap:wrap; } /* --- Occasional local journalism prompt for signed-in non-subscribers --- */ .rb-local-journalism-prompt{ display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:space-between; gap:14px; width:min(720px, 100%); margin:14px auto 0; padding:13px 15px; border:1px solid rgba(11,99,206,.20); border-radius:10px; background:#f7fbff; color:#1f2937; text-align:left; box-sizing:border-box; } .rb-local-journalism-copy{ display:flex; flex-direction:column; gap:3px; font-size:13px; line-height:1.35; } .rb-local-journalism-copy strong{ font-size:14px; color:#0b3b75; } .rb-local-journalism-link{ display:inline-flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; flex:0 0 auto; min-height:34px; padding:8px 12px; border:1px solid #0b63ce; border-radius:8px; background:#0b63ce; color:#fff; font-size:13px; font-weight:700; line-height:1; text-decoration:none; } .rb-local-journalism-link:hover, .rb-local-journalism-link:focus{ background:#094fa3; border-color:#094fa3; color:#fff; text-decoration:none; } /* --- Disclaimer --- */ .rb-news-disclaimer{ margin-top:10px; font-size:12px; color:#777; line-height:1.4; max-width:720px; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; } /* --- Modal --- */ .rb-modal[hidden], .rb-modal-backdrop[hidden]{ display:none !important; } .rb-modal-backdrop{ position:fixed; inset:0; background:rgba(0,0,0,.55); z-index:9998; } .rb-modal{ position:fixed; inset:0; display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; z-index:9999; padding:14px; } .rb-modal-card{ width:min(640px, 100%); max-height:90vh; overflow:auto; background:#fff; border-radius:16px; box-shadow:0 20px 60px rgba(0,0,0,.35); } .rb-modal-head{ display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:space-between; padding:14px 16px; border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.10); } .rb-modal-title{ font-size:18px; font-weight:700; } .rb-modal-x{ border:0; background:transparent; font-size:28px; line-height:1; cursor:pointer; padding:0 6px; max-width:75px !important; } .rb-modal-body{ padding:14px 16px; } /* --- Messages --- */ .rb-correct-msg{ margin:0 0 10px 0; font-size:14px; } .rb-correct-msg.ok{ color:#0b6b3a; } .rb-correct-msg.err{ color:#b00020; } /* --- Form --- */ .rb-field{ display:block; margin:10px 0; } .rb-field span{ display:block; font-size:13px; margin:0 0 6px 0; color:#222; } .rb-field input, .rb-field textarea{ width:90%; padding:10px; border:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.20); border-radius:10px; font-size:14px; } .rb-turnstile-wrap{ margin:12px 0 6px 0; overflow:hidden; } .rb-actions{ display:flex; gap:10px; justify-content:flex-end; margin-top:12px; } .rb-submit, .rb-cancel{ padding:10px 14px; border-radius:10px; border:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.20); cursor:pointer; font-size:14px; } .rb-submit{ background:#111; color:#fff; border-color:#111; } .rb-submit[disabled]{ opacity:.65; cursor:not-allowed; } .rb-cancel{ background:#fff; } /* --- Mobile --- */ @media screen and (max-width:768px){ .rb-correct-wrap{ margin:18px 0 12px 0; padding:0 10px; } .rb-correct-actions{ flex-direction:column; align-items:stretch; } .rb-correct-btn, .rb-google-source-btn{ width:100%; max-width:100%; } .rb-news-disclaimer{ font-size:12px; line-height:1.35; max-width:100%; } .rb-local-journalism-prompt{ align-items:stretch; flex-direction:column; text-align:center; } .rb-local-journalism-link{ width:100%; box-sizing:border-box; } .rb-modal{ padding:10px; box-sizing:border-box; } .rb-modal-body{ padding:12px; } .rb-field{ margin:12px 0; text-align:left; } .rb-field input, .rb-field textarea{ width:100% !important; max-width:100% !important; box-sizing:border-box; } .rb-modal .ui-input-text, .rb-modal .ui-input-search, .rb-modal .ui-textinput{ width:100% !important; margin:0 !important; box-sizing:border-box !important; } .rb-modal .ui-input-text input, .rb-modal .ui-input-text textarea{ width:100% !important; box-sizing:border-box; } } function rbLoadTurnstile(){ if (window.__rb_turnstile_loaded) return; window.__rb_turnstile_loaded = true; var s = document.createElement('script'); s.src = "https://challenges.cloudflare/turnstile/v0/api.js"; s.async = true; s.defer = true; document.head.appendChild(s); } (function(){ function qs(sel, root){ return (root
Dan Brannan is an Editor/Writer/Public Relations/Social Media Specialist at RiverBender.com. He specializes in a diverse range of topics including sports—both individual and team—along with themes of security and law enforcement, particularly in the context of public event safety and emergency response. Dan's work has been featured in RiverBender.com, Middle Georgia CEO, and NewsBreak.
