Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma

05/19/2026

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office extends its gratitude to the Cherokee Nation Marshals, Grove Police Department, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, District 13 Task Force, and Grove EMS for their assistance with tonight’s incident in the Honey Creek area. We appreciate the public's understanding as we prioritized safety, which included managing delays on Highway 59. The situation concluded without further incident, as we successfully took Gregory Derose into custody. Our thoughts are with the family whose home that was hit with a round fired from a pistol from across Highway 59, and we are relieved that they were unharmed. Thank you once again for your cooperation with the Sheriff’s Office.

05/19/2026

As of right now, Highway 59 from Honey Creek bridge to Lakeroad 6 (E 320) is shut down due to public safety concerns. We are working diligently to make the area safe. Thank you all for your understanding and patience. SHERIFF THOMAS

04/30/2026

As the 2025-2026 school year draws to a close, numerous events are being organized to help students unwind. Recently, Sheriff Thomas was invited to the Cleora Schools to serve as a judge for an outdoor archery event. Regardless of the judging role, it was clear that everyone emerged as a winner! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff, the enthusiastic students of Cleora Schools, and our School Resource Officer, Deputy Downing, for creating a day filled with fun and camaraderie. With such bright futures ahead for these students, we wish everyone a wonderful conclusion to the school year!

03/15/2026

******FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE******

On March 13, 2026, the Delaware County Sheriff's Office received a report regarding gunfire directed at Mt Hermon Church east of Jay. Deputies learned that the incident had actually taken place the day before, on March 12, but there had been a delay in notifying law enforcement. Deputies promptly began gathering evidence from the scene and were able to secure video footage that captured the events leading up to the shooting, which would prove crucial in the investigation.

Sheriff Thomas, responding to the urgency of the situation, received multiple calls from concerned citizens and church member’s and initiated a saturation of the area on March 14, 2026. During the saturation, deputies conducted traffic stops on several vehicles, resulting in two arrests. The first arrest involved Tonya Jones, who was found to have multiple outstanding warrants through Delaware County. The second arrest stemmed from an alert deputy patrolling S 660 Rd, who noticed a vehicle that matched the description of one involved in the shooting. Upon stopping the vehicle, deputies separated the driver and passenger, leading to the identification of the passenger, Marcus Fisher, as the individual seen on the surveillance footage at Mt Hermon Church. Marcus is innocent until proven guilty.

Further investigation revealed that Marcus Fisher is a convicted felon with a history of charges, including possession of firearm after former conviction of a felony. Deputies were also able to recover the firearm used in the shooting, linking to the incident at the church. The Delaware County Sheriff's Office remains committed to taking all reports seriously, ensuring that every piece of information is thoroughly investigated until all leads are exhausted. The Sheriff’s Office expresses gratitude to the public for their assistance and to the members of the Mt Hermon Church for their cooperation during this challenging time.

02/27/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office extends its appreciation to all the agencies that assisted in the response to the missing person’s report at 38658 CR 555 on February 25, 2026. The initial report indicated that Amarae Law had last been seen by her family approximately 3 hours before 911 was called. Upon searching the area by the family, Amarae’s clothing and phone were discovered near a pond on the property. The Sheriff’s Office arrived and made contact with family members to gather information and conduct an initial search of the vicinity for Amarae, but she was not located.

In response to the situation, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office coordinated with several agencies for resources, to include the Mayes County Sheriff’s Office for a tracking K9, the GRDA for water search and rescue operations, the Cherokee Nation Marshals, who provided search and rescue teams, dive teams, and drones, and OHP. Additional assistance from Grove Fire for a drone, Jay Fire for UTVs, Lakemont Fire, Eucha Fire, and the Craig County Search and Rescue, who prepared for deployment. The search was ultimately suspended when a property owner reported a stolen tractor East of the area, which was last seen driven by a female toward the roadway.

Cherokee Marshals and the Delaware County Deputies successfully located the stolen tractor in a field south of the residence from where it was taken. Upon making contact the female driver was identified as the missing person, Amarea Law, and was subsequently taken into custody by the Cherokee Nation Marshals. Amarae was transported to the Delaware County Jail without further incident. Sheriff Thomas expressed pride in the collective efforts and relationships established among various agencies, reminding everyone of the importance of these partnerships for the safety and well-being of all residents in Delaware County and the surrounding areas.

Ray Thomas
Sheriff, Delaware County

01/05/2026

🚗🌿 OKLAHOMA LAW UPDATE 🌿🚗

We’re not here to debate your card.
Medical Ma*****na Vehicle Changes for 2026 ⬇️

Think of ma*****na like alcohol now:

👉 Not while driving
🚫 No smoking in vehicles for drivers or passengers. If the car is moving, the w**d is not.

👉 🚗 Open Container Rules Apply
Medical ma*****na must be:

✔️ In original, sealed packaging
✔️ OR stored out of reach (hello, trunk)

👉 Not an excuse for impairment:

A medical card does NOT protect you from a DUI.

🚓 If we can smell it, see it, or you’re driving like Mario Kart…we’re having a conversation.

Store it right. Drive smart. Everybody wins.

👉 Medical card or not, impaired is impaired.

*****na

12/10/2025

A MESSAGE FROM THE SHERIFF:

One year ago, my life took a significant turn as I embarked on the journey of fulfilling my lifelong dream of becoming a sheriff. Initially uncertain about what to expect, I now reflect on the remarkable transformation of the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. Over the past year, we have implemented numerous positive changes while also addressing areas that required correction from our original vision. My initial goal was to tackle crime swiftly, but I have come to realize the importance of establishing a solid administrative and operational foundation first. As a result, we have revamped our procedures and policies, positioning ourselves to effectively combat crime. Although the pace has been slower than I had hoped, we are now ready to confront crime at an unprecedented level in Delaware County. I urge the community to remain patient as we work tirelessly to rectify past issues and enhance the safety of our families. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve, and together, as a united team, we can create a lasting impact for future generations. Thank you, Sheriff Ray Thomas.

12/04/2025

The Delaware County emergency response teams are working hard to keep everyone safe. For urgent situations, like serious injuries, fires, and other serious incidents, the public can call 911. This number is very important for emergencies only. However, for non-emergency issues or concerns about local services, residents can reach out to these numbers;

Sheriff’s Admin - 918-253-2700

Sheriff’s Office - 918-253-4530

Non Emergent Dispatch - 918-253-4531

It's important for everyone to know the difference between these numbers so they can get the right help when they need it. The Sheriff’s Office encourages everyone to use the right number to ensure that emergency services are properly notified.

12/01/2025

If you don’t have anything to do and want something great to eat with GREAT SERVICE? Come out to the Harvest House in Kansas and let the law of Delaware County serve you an excellent warm meal! Tonight law enforcement will be serving for Shop With a Cop again! Thank you

The guys and gals are back and have nothing to do! Come support Tip a Cop for our local kids!

11/22/2025

We want to thank everyone who came out to support our first responders at Casa Gutierrez for the Shop With a Cop and Toys for Tots fundraisers. There will be another on December 1st at the Harvest House in Kansas. If you can make it please make it out! Thank you and Happy Holiday’s!