Dallas County Sheriffs Office

02/28/2026

Today, Christian County lays two of their deputies to rest while the nation stands watch.

I have remained quiet this week on social media regarding this matter — but please don’t mistake my silence for indifference or distance. Silence can be reflection. It can be the weight of knowing there simply are no words big enough to hold the grief.

Today we honor two lives that chose service over self. Two individuals who put on the uniform each day knowing the risks, yet showing up anyway — for their community, for their families, and for one another.

To their loved ones: there are no sentences strong enough to ease this kind of loss. But please know your deputies were more than badges.

From one law enforcement family to another, we stand with Christian County. We mourn with you. We pray for peace over your homes and strength for the days ahead.

12/20/2025

The Dallas County Sheriff’s office is grateful for all the departments who showed up to support our community together! Huge shout out to Buffalo City Chief Chad Garner for organizing this event and making it happen.

12/10/2025

12/07/2025

Dec 6th, 2025

I was excited to hold my first department Christmas party, and honor the hard work and accomplishments of my deputies. I am pleased to announce the following awards and promotions:

Corrections Officer Mason Beesley - Jailer Of The Year

Jail Administrator Kelsey Doeden - Co-Worker Of The Year

Corrections Supervisor Corporal Daniel Moore - Professional Of The Year

Patrol Supervisor Corporal David Dixon - Supervisor Of The Year

Deputy Sheriff Bailey Brown - Deputy Of The Year

Office Administrator Karon Ethridge - Recognized by the Missouri Association of Counties for 20 Years Of Service

Investigations Corporal Chris Clarke - Promoted to Investigations Sergeant

Patrol Supervisor Sergeant Chris Cade - Promoted to Patrol Supervisor Lieutenant

Deputy Sheriff Kristen Cervantes - Promoted to Investigations Corporal

I couldn't be prouder of my department and the people that make it successful. Please join me in congratulating each of them.

Dallas County Sheriff Darren Cheek

11/20/2025

PRESS RELEASE

DALLAS COUNTY, MISSOURI - The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office arrested one suspect in an assault investigation on November 18th, 2025 in rural Dallas County.

On November 18th, 2025, at approximately 5:30 pm, Dallas County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to an address in the Long Lane area of Dallas County, MO in reference to a suicidal subject. While en route, Dispatch informed Deputies that the reporting party advised that Chase Mathias was making suicidal and homicidal threats.

Upon arrival, Deputies made contact with Chase Mathias and the reporting party, who were inside of the residence. The suspect was armed with multiple knives and a baseball bat and refused to allow the reporting party to leave the residence. While corresponding with the suspect, Deputies were informed by the suspect that he had stabbed another party that was no longer at the scene. Shortly thereafter, that information was confirmed by a Buffalo Police Officer who contacted the victim on a medical call. After a short period, Deputies were able to separate the reporting party from the suspect and deployed a less than lethal bean-bag round from a shotgun. The suspect then barricaded within the residence.

Due to the circumstances, all Deputies, Missouri Highway Patrol SWAT, and Springfield Police swat were called to negotiate a peaceful resolution or a tactical solution. While negotiations were on-going, a Dallas County Detective processed information and paperwork for a search warrant, which was ultimately granted.

Several hours of effort were put into negotiations, while the suspect continued suicidal and homicidal treats and threw heavy objects at officers. Upon receiving confirmation of the approved search warrant, final requests for the suspect’s surrender were broadcast, and then a breach of the main door of the residence was completed.

The suspect continued to threaten law enforcement from behind a barricade and was again warned and requested to surrender. The suspect came out of the residence, still holding a knife, and verbally threatening law enforcement. Multiple less than lethal rounds were fired, resulting in the suspect dropping the weapon. He was then forcefully taken to the ground and secured.
The suspect was immediately checked for medical complaints and transported to the Dallas County Jail.

The Dallas County Deputy that was assigned the original call completed the initial investigation and submitted the same to the Dallas County Prosecutor, who approved and forwarded charges to the Dallas County Judge.

On November 19th, 2025, the Dallas County Jail received a warrant for Chase Mathias, having no bond, for the charges of Assault 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action, Kidnapping 2nd Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Resisting/Interfering with Arrest for a Felony.

I would like to thank the Missouri State Highway Patrol uniformed patrol and SWAT members and the Springfield Police Department for their professionalism and immediate response, as well as Dallas County Prosecutor Jonathan Barker and Dallas County Associate Circuit Judge Lisa Henderson for their attention to detail and availability. Lastly, I would like to commend the Dallas County Sheriff’s Deputies for their hard work, tenacity, and ability to answer the call, no matter what that call may be.

Sheriff Darren Cheek

11/11/2025

10/30/2025

Recent news articles released on Facebook, and commented on numerous times, have left the public questioning the facts of an arrest of an Instructor at the Dallas County Technical Center. I have contacted the news outlets and requested they correct their articles. In fact, on the day we were notified of this warrant, the Dallas County Sheriff's Office immediately arrested the suspect and our Detective began an investigation into the suspect's electronic devices and classroom to ensure there were no victims in Dallas County. Prior to the date that we were given the information, and arrested the suspect, there was no notification. The July date that was cited in the articles is the date of the offense. We have no knowledge of when the investigation was initiated by the out of state agency. We look forward to a correction of the news articles. Sheriff Cheek

09/13/2025

It's National Police Woman Day, and we would like to recognize Deputy Sheriff Kristen Cervantes. Deputy Cervantes has served the citizens of Dallas County with integrity and courage since January 1st of this year, and is an outstanding member of our team. We are honored to have officers of her caliber.

09/06/2025

Press Release
for release: September 6, 2025

For more information Contact: Sheriff Darren Cheek at (417)-345-2441

DALLAS COUNTY, MISSOURI - On Saturday, September 6th, 2025 at 10:00 A.M, Deputy Bailey Brown performed a traffic stop on a Ford F-250 on U.S Highway 65. During the course of the traffic stop, Dallas County deputies took four Hispanic males into custody after it was determined they were in the country illegally. Deputies contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement who placed immigration detainers on the subjects. The four subjects were transported to the Dallas County Detention Center by Dallas County deputies and are awaiting extradition by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

During the course of the investigation, Dallas County deputies located and seized a large amount of U.S. currency inside the vehicle. Due to the suspicious nature of the incident, Dallas County Sheriff Darren Cheek contacted Greene County Sheriff Arnott and requested the assistance of a K-9 unit. The Greene County Sheriff's Office immediately dispatched Deputy McCall and his partner K-9 Ghost to the scene. While no controlled substances were located, K-9 Ghost was able to point deputies to an area of the vehicle that appeared to have been modified specifically to transport contraband.

Sheriff Cheek, along with the rest of the Dallas County Sheriff's Office, would like to give a special thanks to the Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott, and all his staff who always stand ready to share their resources with neighboring counties. Sheriff Cheek would also like to point out that although the media like to highlight the work of law enforcement in large metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles and New York, incidents like this are also happening all over rural Missouri. This is the second incident resulting in the arrest of persons with illegal status the Dallas County Sheriff's Office has encountered in the last three weeks.

08/06/2025

Press Release
For Release: August 6, 2025

For More Information Contact: Sheriff Darren Cheek at (417) 345-2441

DALLAS COUNTY, MISSOURI–On August 2, 2025, Sheriff Darren Cheek, along with seventeen Dallas County deputies, conducted compliance checks on every registered s*x offender in Dallas County. Deputies completed a total of ninety-two s*x offender compliance checks in a targeted operation spanning more than twenty hours.

As a result of those efforts, Sheriff Cheek and his deputies arrested eight noncompliant offenders and presented a total of fifteen felony charges for failure to register as a s*x offender to the Dallas County Prosecutor, Jonathan Barker. During the operation, deputies also apprehended a fugitive from justice from Colorado, and arrested another subject on a warrant out of Christian County, Missouri.

Sheriff Cheek is proud of the work put in by the men and women of the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, many of whom gave up their day off to ensure the success of this operation. “I am extremely happy with what we were able to accomplish here, and grateful for all the effort put in by everyone who worked to make sure we hold offenders accountable under the law,” Sheriff Cheek said. “The Sheriff’s Office will continue doing these checks randomly throughout the year, including on Halloween. So I would like to warn all registered s*x offenders of this county to make sure they follow what is required by law on their registration, because if they don’t then we will find out and we will send up charges.”

Sheriff Cheek also extends his gratitude to the Dallas County Prosecuting Attorney Jonathan Barker, and Judge Lisa Carter Henderson for giving up time during the weekend to help keep Dallas County safe.

05/27/2025

Dallas County Officially Receives Missouri Blue Shield Designation

Today, Dallas County officially received Missouri Blue Shield designation from the Missouri Department of Public Safety. This prestigious honor recognizes Missouri communities that demonstrate a steadfast commitment to enhancing public safety and supporting law enforcement.

The Missouri Blue Shield Program, created by Governor Kehoe in January 2025 through Executive Order 25-03, recognizes local governments that make significant efforts to reduce crime, foster law enforcement collaboration, and build strong community partnerships for public safety.

“Public safety is the foundation of a thriving community and state. It affects everything from families feeling secure to businesses having the confidence to invest and grow,” said Governor Kehoe. “We designed the Missouri Blue Shield Program to recognize communities that go above and beyond in creating a place where people want to live, work, and build their futures. A Missouri Blue Shield designation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of local governments across Missouri who are leading the way in making public safety a priority.”

“The Department of Public Safety is proud to work alongside communities like Dallas County, that have shown exceptional dedication to enhancing public safety,” said Mark James, Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS). “This program is about fostering collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Our goal is to support these efforts, providing resources and guidance to help communities build sustainable, long-term solutions for crime reduction and public safety.”

“The Dallas County Commission and Sheriff are excited for the opportunity to be part of Governor Kehoe’s Blue Shield program. The Blue Shield Designation sends a clear message: Dallas County is serious about protecting what matters here in rural Missouri. Under Governor Kehoe’s Executive Order 25-03, this designation reinforces our commitment to standing guard against the criminals, who would target Dallas County or disrupt our way of life say’s Sheriff Darren Cheek”

Eligibility and Program Details
Communities are eligible for a Missouri Blue Shield designation based on their dedication to reducing crime, making substantial investments in public safety, and developing strong collaboration with law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders. Each participating community’s commitment will be reviewed annually to ensure continued alignment with the program’s goals.

Participation Incentives
Communities that earn a Missouri Blue Shield designation will receive grant funding for law enforcement training and equipment as part of Governor Kehoe’s Recommended Budget for the State Fiscal Year 2026. Communities will also be featured on Governor Kehoe’s social media pages as well as the DPS website to highlight their participation in the program.

About Dallas County
Dallas County earned a Missouri Blue Shield designation due to its exceptional commitment to public safety. Through Dallas County Sheriff's Office participation in Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) with investigator Christopher Clarke attached to the task force. The Dallas County Sheriff Office is a contracted member of the Multidisciplinary team which partners our office with local, state, and federal partners in the prosecution of crimes of s*xual and physical abuse of children within Dallas County. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office has begun community policing initiatives by starting a neighborhood watch program in the Urbana community that currently lacks a police department for its 403 citizens. Dallas County has demonstrated a strong and ongoing commitment to protecting its residents. This designation affirms Dallas County’s effort to create a safer, more secure environment for all who live and work here.