Larry "Pete" L. Pearson

Larry “Pete” L. Pearson died on February 8, 2026, peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.  He was born on January 16, 1943, in Belvidere, IL, the youngest son of Sigfried and Harriet (Hull) Pearson. Pete was a second-generation American, his grandfather having emigrated to the United States in 1903 from Oland, Sweden.

Pete embodied the best of his Swedish heritage, not in words but in the way he stood in the world–a formidable physical presence, tireless in work, dependable in character, and steady through hardship.  As a toddler, he suffered a terrible accident, which burned the right side of his face and body, landing him a second home in various hospitals in Belvidere and Chicago throughout much of his childhood. Despite these difficulties, he remained a tough and determined young man, joining the Air Force at the age of 17 in 1960, where he remained overseas for four years.

Pete followed in the footsteps of his father, who had been a Boone County Sheriff deputy, and joined the Belvidere Police Department in 1965, where he served for 20 years and retired as a detective.  During those years, he formed a special bond with his law enforcement partner, A.J. Voiles.  Together, their presence was legendary and a force to be reckoned with–their reputation entered the room before they did.  Trouble didn’t survive their presence!  Free time rarely found him at rest–when he wasn’t solving crimes, Pete also owned and operated a mowing and landscaping business, bringing his sons into the work from the time they were six years old, instilling in them the dignity of hard work and a job done right.

During his tenure at the police department, Pete met the love of his life, Bonnie L.  Pearson, who was a beautiful and capable dispatcher for the Boone County Sheriff Department for 43 years.  They were married on February 16, 1972, and they were deeply proud of their law enforcement careers.  Pete served on boards for The Blue Knights as well as the American Legion.  He was famous for his delicious chili, which he prepared for the annual Chili-Bingo for decades.  He also spent many years coordinating the Belvidere Canoe races.  Pete loved motorcycling, trips up north for fishing and snowmobiling, watching his grandson Justin race at the Rockford Speedway, tinkering on various projects in the shed out back with his son Andy, talking and telling stories about law enforcement with his son Chad, who followed in his LEO footsteps, and most of all, spending time supporting his grandkids. Though he presented with a tough and strong exterior, it was his grandchildren who revealed his tender heart.  He gave to them endlessly–steadfast in support, generous beyond measure, and present without condition, even still showing up to cheer them on at sporting events after he became legally blind. In his final years, Pete endured significant medical challenges and hardships, and his body bore more than its fair share, but his resolve never wavered.  He met these difficulties with the same tough-as-nails grit and resolve that defined his life.

Left to mourn his loss are his four children, Brenda Tarutis of Wilkes Barre, PA,, Traci Hillhouse of Fort White, FL, Andy (Sue) Pearson of Belvidere, and Chad (Kellie) Pearson of Janesville, WI, 11 grandchildren, Tracy, Ross, Alexis, Selena, Justin, Jeremy, Tate, Elle, Cormac, Becket, and Evangline, 12 great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Ethan, Skyler, Corona, Catherine, Cieran, Bailey, Lane, Dixi, Piper, Jersey, and Novalee, one great-great grandchild Salem, sister-in-law Cheryl (Larry) Grayson, brother-in-law Jody (Karin) Ferguson, and cousins.

Pete is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bonnie, granddaughter Siena Pearson, parents, brother Howard Pearson, sister-in- law Sally Pavlak, and brother-in-law Richard Ferguson.

Visitation will take place on February 14, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Belvidere Funeral Home and Cremation Service, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. Interment in Highland Garden of Memories in Belvidere, IL.  Condolences can be shared with the family at www.belviderefh.com