By RODNEY HART

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

Quincy Police Chief Rob Copley was in a staff meeting Friday, looking forward to a relaxing Father's Day weekend, when a call came from the Secret Service in Springfield.

Presidential candidate Barack Obama had decided to visit Quincy, and Copley's Saturday plans were suddenly put on hold.

There were no security issues as Obama visited Quincy Saturday afternoon, meeting with volunteers and emergency workers at the Oakley-Lindsay Center, just blocks from the rising Mississippi River.

"It went very well," said Copley, who was involved in planning security at Quincy Regional Airport, for the motorcade to downtown Quincy and for the Oakley-Lindsay Center. "Usually we have several days to plan these events. This one was put together in less than 24 hours and it went off without a hitch."

Copley, Adams County Sheriff Brent Fischer and Illinois State Police troopers met with Secret Service agents Friday night at Quincy Regional Airport. Two members of the Secretary of State Police Bomb Squad also made sure the airport was secure, then discreetly did their jobs at the Oakley-Lindsay Center.

"Everybody did a good job," Fischer said. "We are fortunate we have good working relationships with all the agencies."

It was especially busy for the Sheriff's Department. Two deputies were working with the Illinois Department of Conservation on Mississippi River detail Saturday, three others were at the Tri-Jesus Triathlon at Wavering Park and other locations, and two others had regular road patrol duties.

Five Adams County Sheriff's Department deputies, eight ISP troopers and 20 Quincy Police Department officers worked the Obama detail, but not all were in uniform. Staffing numbers are done with Secret Service recommendations and some overtime costs were expected.

Copley complimented Quincy Police Lt. Jason Simmons for doing much of the lead work for Obama's visit.

Copley himself stayed close by Obama's side as the Democratic presidential candidate worked the crowd inside the Oakley-Lindsay Center.

"It's fun to work these details," Copley said. "But you have to make sure you keep on task.

"We realize that while almost everybody just wants to see him and wish him well, we're there because there might be people who want to harm him."

-- rhart@whig.com/221-3370