Press releases

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Sheriff Mike Bonham is speaking out about the coronavirus, and he wants citizens to know that Osage Sheriff’s Deputies are here, prepared, and still working in full force.

“It’s important for them to realize that their Sheriff’s Office is working. They’re out and about, and they’re doing what they do on a normal daily basis. That has not changed because of the situation.”

On Tuesday, aligning ourselves with the national request of social distancing, Sheriff’s Office urged the public to use telephone services or email to file police reports when possible.

Obviously, you know, we’re trying to create the social distancing and, try to minimize the human contact as we go through this crisis. And that includes my records department, which has many visitors on a daily basis. If we can minimize some of that daily contact or that need to the public, we’re going to try to figure out ways to do that. And one of them is filing a report by phone, if at all possible. We know some of people don’t have that ability. And we’re honestly open in order to accommodate people because it’s important that we’re aware of crimes being perpetrated, and then we document that.

We don’t have the luxury of working from an office a lot, or like a lot of the recommendations that are requested. Work from home, if you have that ability, that is great, we don’t have that ability. So it’s just as important for our officers to use precautions, so they don’t become a victim of the virus. So it’s important for you to realize that we’re out doing what we do on a normal basis, and will still react if you call for service, we’re available. If you call for service, deputies are available.

It is important for people not to buy groceries and other needs in excess. Situations of hoarding could affect so many people and is really hard on the elderly and the poor. There is enough food and supplies for everyone. If you believe there is price gouging contact the Missouri Attorney General’s Office at: 800-392-8222.

“It’s important for us to reassure our citizens that it is actually happening, and it’s not just us talking – trying to create calm – there will be supplies for you moving forward.”

We are also aware of scams that have popped up in other counties and will make its way to Osage eventually.  Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the Coronavirus. They’re setting up websites to sell bogus products, and using fake emails, texts, and social media posts as a ruse to take your money and get your personal information. If you come across any suspicious claims, report them to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. 

We are receiving calls on a daily basis about if we are going to ticket citizens for leaving their homes. The answer is simply, “no,” and we are not going to close down the highways.

“We are in it for the long haul and this is a time like we have never seen. We are not sure how long this crisis will go on, but we are all going to have some patience’s. God Bless Osage and God Bless America.”

Osage County Calls for Service for January - Below is a list of the calls for service being handled by deputies of the Osage County Sheriff's Office. Call descriptions are based upon the information received at the time of dispatch; the final outcome of the investigation may vary. From Date: 01/1/2020 To 01/31/2020 -

911 ACCIDENTAL 16
911 AREA CODE 3
911 HANG UP 13
911 OPEN LINE 8
ABANDONED VEHICLE 11
ACTIVE WARRANT 1
ALARM SOUNDING - LAW 14
ALLERGIC REACTION 1
ANIMAL BITES 3
ANIMAL CALL - CONSERVATION 2
ANIMAL CALLS 11
ARREST 3
ASSIST ANOTHER AGENCY - EMS 1
ASSIST ANOTHER AGENCY - LAW 1
BRUSH FIRE 1
BUILDING/AREA CHECKS 85
BURGLARY 4
C & I DRIVING / DRUNK DRIVER 8
CARDIAC ARREST 1
CHECK WELL BEING 14
CHEST PAIN / HEART PROBLEMS 1
CIVIL MATTER 7
COMPLAINT 3
DEATH 1
DEBRIS IN THE ROAD 3
DFS 1
DIABETIC 1
DIRECTED PATROL 35
DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE - PHYSICAL 1
DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE - VERBAL 7
FIGHT IN PROGRESS 2
FLU FIRE 1
FOLLOW UP 37
FRAUD / IDENTITY THEFT 3
HARASSMENT 2
HIT & RUN 2
INFORMATIONAL CALL 6
INVESTIGATION - LAW 13
LANE BLOCKAGE 1
LARGE EVENT 1
LOST AND FOUND 2
MAILBOX VANDALISM 4
MISSING PERSON / SEARCH & RESCUE 1
MISSING PET/ LIVESTOCK 1
MISSING/FOUND ROAD SIGN/ POST 1
NARCOTICS POLICE 1
ORDER OF PROTECTION VIOLATION 4
OVERDOSE / POISONING 1
PAPER SERVICE 61
PEACE DISTURBANCE / NOISE 6
POACHING 1
PRISONER TRANSPORT 2
PSYCH (VIOLENT) 3
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE - LAW 1
RAPE / SEXUAL ASSAULT 1
RETURN CALL 64
SHOTS FIRED 1
SLIDE OFF - LAW 19
SPECIAL DETAIL 4
STOLEN VEHICLE 1
STRANDED MOTORIST 7
STRUCTURE FIRE 1
SUICIDE / ATTEMPT / SUICIDAL 8
SUSPICIOUS PERSON/ VEH/ OBJECT 23
TEST CALL 1
THEFT 6
THREATENING 2
TRAFFIC CONTROL 1
TRAFFIC STOP 127
TRAIN FIRE 1
TRANSFER - LAW 2
TRESSPASSING 1
UNCONSCIOUS/UNRESPONSIVE 4
VANDALISM / PROPERTY DAMAGE 12
VEHICLE / ATV ACCIDENT - NON-INJURY 11
VEHICLE / ATV ACCIDENT - UNKNOW INJURIES 8
VEHICLE / ATV ACCIDENT - WITH INJURIES 2
WALK IN - LAW 6
WATER ON THE ROADWAY 2
Total: 733 

Osage County Calls for Service for December - Below is a list of the calls for service being handled by deputies of the Osage County Sheriff's Office. Call descriptions are based upon the information received at the time of dispatch; the final outcome of the investigation may vary. From Date: 12/1/2019 To 12/31/2019 -

911 ACCIDENTAL 16
911 HANG UP 11
911 OPEN LINE 8
ABANDONED VEHICLE 8
ALARM SOUNDING - LAW 7
ANIMAL CALL - CONSERVATION 2
ANIMAL CALLS 8
ARREST 1 ASSAULT / BATTERY 1
ASSIST ANOTHER AGENCY - LAW 4
BOMB THREAT 1
BUILDING/AREA CHECKS 131
BURGLARY 3
C & I DRIVING / DRUNK DRIVER 10
CARDIAC ARREST 1
CHECK WELL BEING 14
CHEST PAIN / HEART PROBLEMS 1
CHILD PLAYING WITH PHONE 2
CIVIL MATTER 2
CIVIL STANDBY 6
COMPLAINT 6
CUSTODY 2
DEATH 2
DEBRIS IN THE ROAD 3
DIRECTED PATROL 60
DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE - PHYSICAL 3
DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE - VERBAL 2
DRUGS / NARCOTICS 1
EXTRA PATROL REQUESTED 2
FIGHT IN PROGRESS 1
FOLLOW UP 30
FRAUD / IDENTITY THEFT 2
HARASSMENT 1
HIT & RUN 1
INFORMATIONAL CALL 2
INVESTIGATION - LAW 14
LANE BLOCKAGE 1
LOCK-OUT 1
MAILBOX VANDALISM 3
MISSING PERSON / SEARCH & RESCUE 3
MISSING PET/ LIVESTOCK 1
ORDER OF PROTECTION VIOLATION 2
ORDINANCE VIOLATION 1
PAPER SERVICE 60
PEACE DISTURBANCE / NOISE 3
PRISONER TRANSPORT 3
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE - LAW 2
RAPE / SEXUAL ASSAULT 1
RETURN CALL 54
SHOTS FIRED 2
SICK CASE 1
SLIDE OFF - LAW 3
SPECIAL DETAIL 10
STALKING 1
STOLEN VEHICLE 1
STRANDED MOTORIST 8
STRUCTURE FIRE 1
SUICIDE / ATTEMPT / SUICIDAL 1
SUSPICIOUS PERSON/ VEH/ OBJECT 26
TEST CALL 8 THEFT 6
THREATENING 7
TRAFFIC STOP 153
TRANSFER - LAW 4
TRESSPASSING 4
UNCONSCIOUS/UNRESPONSIVE 1
VANDALISM / PROPERTY DAMAGE 6
VEHICLE / ATV ACCIDENT - NON-INJURY 14
VEHICLE / ATV ACCIDENT - UNKNOW INJURIES 5
VEHICLE / ATV ACCIDENT - WITH INJURIES 1
WALK IN - LAW 7
Total: 774