Take a look. Here’s what McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren released today.

It’s typed in all capital letters and unsigned.

Dear Carole and the Board-

I am deeply sorry for all that I have put you through.  With the exception of this one mistake I have always done things the honest and right way.  I hope that you believe me.  Now there is nothing for me to lie about.  All this stuff dealing with the Federal inquiry is all wrong.  I have always done my job honestly and with the highest level of integrity.  On my dying breath you need to know this.  I love Metra.  I gave it all–heart and soul.

I hope that you show compassion to my wife and family.  They need all the help they can get.  We always talked about Metra being a family.  I hope now that what I did for others will be done for me.

What I did was not to take the easy way out.  It is an end to all this madness for all concerned.  Most of all it is to put an end to all the suffering that my family, you and the staff are going through.  As you know, now more than ever, they are truly hard working, dedicated people.  They will all do a wonderful job.

The only request is to please, please treat my wife Barbara and my children with compassion and respect.  I hope all that I have earned (pension, medical benefits, life insurance) is not thrown away.  It is not for me it is for them.

Again on my dying breath with this one item I have done wrong.  They need your help.  Please.

PHIL PAGANO

Of course, the entire note is in capital letters.