Sheriff’s Thoughts

06/03/2025

Voting stops tonight- Last chance to vote- Click like on her photo on the fair page is all you have to do…

🚨 VOTE FOR LANDRY! 🚨

Friends and family — we need your support! My amazing daughter Landry is in the running and every single vote counts. 💪💙

Please take just a second to click the link below and cast your vote. It’s quick, easy, and would mean the world to us!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1E9iMz85a1/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Let’s show Landry how much love and support she has behind her. Share this and help us spread the word! 🙌👑

Select the photo on the belle fair page and click like. Thank you.

77th Annual Belle Fair Queen Candidate

Hello, my name is Landry Heitman. I’m 18 years old and just graduated Belle High School. My plans after is attending State Technical College for Agricultural Operations- Business. I was the 2025 recipient for the Belle Fair Scholarship. I am the daughter of Sara and Seth Parker, and Chris Heitman. I have an older stepbrother and two younger sisters. Some hobbies of mine I enjoy is hanging out with friends and just playing cards. I also spray paint, hunt and fish. I want to be the 2025 Belle Fair Queen because I love our community and giving back. To me, this opens up more opportunity and chance to not only give back to my community but be a positive role model for the younger generation. Something I love most about the Fair is on Saturday afternoon during the livestock sale is watching our community show up and support 4-H and FFA members. I’ve been in 4-H for 9 years throughout those 9 years I have sold swine, ham, and bacon. It has always amazed me and warmed my heart to see our community continuous support.

06/03/2025

🚨 VOTE FOR LANDRY! 🚨

Friends and family — we need your support! My amazing daughter Landry is in the running and every single vote counts. 💪💙

Please take just a second to click the link below and cast your vote. It’s quick, easy, and would mean the world to us!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1E9iMz85a1/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Let’s show Landry how much love and support she has behind her. Share this and help us spread the word! 🙌👑

77th Annual Belle Fair Queen Candidate

Hello, my name is Landry Heitman. I’m 18 years old and just graduated Belle High School. My plans after is attending State Technical College for Agricultural Operations- Business. I was the 2025 recipient for the Belle Fair Scholarship. I am the daughter of Sara and Seth Parker, and Chris Heitman. I have an older stepbrother and two younger sisters. Some hobbies of mine I enjoy is hanging out with friends and just playing cards. I also spray paint, hunt and fish. I want to be the 2025 Belle Fair Queen because I love our community and giving back. To me, this opens up more opportunity and chance to not only give back to my community but be a positive role model for the younger generation. Something I love most about the Fair is on Saturday afternoon during the livestock sale is watching our community show up and support 4-H and FFA members. I’ve been in 4-H for 9 years throughout those 9 years I have sold swine, ham, and bacon. It has always amazed me and warmed my heart to see our community continuous support.

02/22/2024

It's not too late to sign up. Weather will be great!!!

Our 2024 Polar Plunge is coming up on February 24th! Follow the link to join the fun and raise money for Special Olympics!

Freezin' for a reason!

01/25/2024

What are your thoughts???

I’m sure everyone knows where I stand, but instead of hearing my thoughts, let’s share this and hear from our citizens in Belle on whether or not the Whistleblower Act was violated when an employee was terminated this week.

Here’s a link to details on the protections….

https://www.dol.gov/general/topics/whistleblower

12/23/2023

I urge the City of Belle to stop violating the sunshine law. Are you aware the city is currently facing over $100,000 in fines for violations already?

Here, in this video, the Belle City Council is already aware of a law suit the Missouri Attorney General has filed against the city yet they once again violated sunshine law by refusing to allow citizens into a council meeting. The alderwoman in this video claims it was not a closed session but a “closed door meeting”.

I have been informed many citizens last night have filed more complaints with the Attorney General’s Office because of this.

I ask the city to be as transparent as possible. I also sent city officials some advice before last nights meeting in an attempt to help prevent them from making a mistake just like this.

I wish the Mayor Pro Tem the best in leading the city in the right way. I am always here to help if you would like.

Your Sheriff,
Chris Heitman

07/26/2023

https://www.facebook.com/100064630331801/posts/663159179181754/?mibextid=cr9u03

This is in response to a statement made in the newspaper by a member of the Belle Police Department. The statement was in reference to an active shooter training I conducted in the Belle High School for cadets of the Sheriff’s Academy involving the local law enforcement.

My office hosted an active shooter training in Belle with police cadets. I have been an active shooter instructor since 2009 and also an active shooter instructor trainer. We notified the Belle Police they were welcome to attend, even if it was just their duty officer. They would have also received their required continuing education hours at no cost with Chief Scott John and I teaching. Belle Police didn’t attend the training; however, the duty car did stop in. Soon after, a supervisor called my Chief where he was told that Marshal Coborn had been sent an invitation as well. Our training was conducted for over four hours that evening. So I am not sure why Belle Police would report to the paper that they were not invited.

My office will always put the public’s safety over politics, especially when it involves children. It would have been reckless and irresponsible for me not to invite Belle Police just like we will invite Vienna Police for the one we plan to host in Vienna.

I realize some members of the Belle Police do not get along very well with members of my office. It is sometimes hard to work with a place you were terminated from or told your services were no longer needed; however, when it comes to the public’s safety, you must put hard feelings aside and do what is best for the public.

I will always be willing to work with our local law enforcement agencies to assist them in anyway. My office will continue to do what is best for the citizens of Maries County, and that includes Belle and Vienna.

Your Sheriff,
Chris Heitman

06/13/2023

https://www.facebook.com/100064630331801/posts/639306834900322/?mibextid=YCpiuZ

To the citizens of Maries County,

I have decided not to seek re-election after my term expires January 1, 2025. I have proudly served in law enforcement since I was 18 years old. I have served as an elected law enforcement officer since 2005 and you first elected me to be your sheriff in 2008. Toward the end of my near 16-year tenure as your Sheriff, I made plans to change career paths. I felt I could not end my career as your Sheriff until I had a person lined up to take my position, one who I knew could handle the job. I am now confident I have that person.

I would like to thank all the men and women who worked for me with integrity and professionalism. Your service has been invaluable. I personally and publicly would like to thank each and every member of my current staff for your constant support and professional duty. Thank you for your dedication to this profession. Keep up the good work of protecting and serving our county in the coming years.

I am very proud of the work my office has accomplished since I was originally elected. The number of criminals sentenced to prison under my administration is unprecedented. The hardest part of being a sheriff is building a quality, professional staff. I am proud to say I currently have some of the best staff members a sheriff can ask for. Once my term is over, I plan to continue in law enforcement by assisting several agencies with criminal investigations and working a federal contract with the United States Marshals Office. However, my passion for scuba will call for me to pour myself into my scuba business in Jefferson City.

I began this letter telling you I have found the person who I believe is ready to handle my job as your next sheriff. That person is currently my Chief Deputy, Scott John. Currently, I have Chief John handling the majority of the administrative duties of the office and overseeing the day-to-day operations. Once again, and not to my surprise, he is excelling. Scott does plan to run for my position and I would be proud to turn it over to him. He has prepared, but has not announced his intentions publicly yet out of respect for me. Waiting instead for me to make my formal decision. As always, his character and work ethic goes unmatched.

Scott began with my office as a volunteer Chaplain 11 years ago and it didn’t take me long to see the leader in him. He has served in almost every position in my office and has excelled at all of them. He has also overseen the applications and receipt of several hundred thousand dollars of grants during his time with my office. He has been responsible for many of the equipment and safety upgrades my staff has received. I cannot think of a better person for me to turn the reigns over to than Scott. He has my full support in the election next year.

I appreciate all the support and trust you have given me in my career as your Sheriff. No matter where my new career decisions may take me, Maries County will always be home in my heart.

Your Sheriff,
Chris Heitman

04/13/2023

https://www.facebook.com/100058913540872/posts/720401773266934/?mibextid=cr9u03

UPDATE
Alderman Jeanette Struemph has announced that the special meeting tomorrow concerning issues with Mayor Daryl White, Jr., will be postponed until election results in Osage County are certified and the board can swear-in newly elected officials. The meeting will take place before April 18 when municipalities are required to certify the election and swear in new members.

ORIGINAL POST
BELLE ALDERMEN CALL SPECIAL MEETING TO RESOLVE ISSUES WITH MAYOR WHITE
Belle aldermen have called a special open session meeting for 2 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, April 13) at the Lonnie Feeler Memorial Building. The posted agenda item is to discuss/resolve issues with Mayor Daryl White, Jr. A sign-up sheet will be available for the public if they want to speak.

04/04/2023

Belle residents, with Election Day approaching tomorrow, I wanted to encourage voters to get out and vote. However, think very hard about your vote, because it does matter.

I am publicly endorsing Joe Turnbough as your Marshal and Kayla Bray as your Mayor.

Knowing all the candidates, I have to strongly support these two for their moral backgrounds.

Joe still currently works for my office, has been with my office for over 13 years, and has never stopped supporting Belle. I may not always agree with Joe, but he has a passion for the job, compassion for people, and I do not worry about how he will treat the public. His decisions will always be ethical and moral.

I have known Kayla for a long time as well. Again, we may not see eye to eye on everything, but I do not worry about her misappropriating city funds to cover her own expenses. I believe she will make decisions based on what she feels is right and best for the city, without a political agenda.

Just my thoughts. Regardless, be sure to get out and vote tomorrow.

Your Sheriff,
Chris Heitman

02/17/2023

I am excited to use this page to share my opinions and thoughts on current issues in the county. Stay tuned for future updates.

Your Sheriff,
Chris Heitman