Vernon County Sheriff's Office

05/30/2026

SCAM ALERT – Vernon County Residents

The Vernon County Sheriff's Office has received reports of scam phone calls from individuals falsely claiming to be members of the Sheriff's Department. Callers are telling residents that they have outstanding warrants and must take immediate action, often involving payment.

Please be aware:

The Vernon County Sheriff's Office does not call individuals to demand payment for warrants.

Legitimate law enforcement actions are not handled through phone calls requesting money, gift cards, wire transfers, or electronic payments.

Do not provide personal, financial, or banking information to unsolicited callers.
If you receive one of these calls, hang up immediately.

If you are unsure whether a call is legitimate, contact the Vernon County Sheriff's Office directly using an official phone number.

Please share this information with family members, friends, and neighbors to help prevent others from becoming victims of this scam.

05/25/2026

05/22/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On May 22, 2026, the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, along with members of the Mid Missouri Career Criminal Drug Task Force (MMCCDTF), concluded a month-long investigation involving a subject suspected of traveling multiple times per week to the Kansas City area before returning to Vernon County and making several stops throughout the county.

The Nevada Police Department conducted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle. During the stop, MMCCDTF members took Landon Wilson of Nevada, Missouri, into custody in connection with a controlled narcotics purchase that had previously been conducted during the investigation.

Upon arrival at the Vernon County Jail, Wilson was found to be concealing approximately 114 grams of suspected methamphetamine and fentynl inside his pants. The narcotics were discovered utilizing the jail’s body scanner system.

Following review of the investigation, the court has issued warrant number 26VE-CR00303 charging Wilson with Trafficking Drugs in the Second Degree, a Class B Felony, and Delivery or Possession of a Controlled Substance at a County Jail, a Class D Felony. Bond was set at $500,000 cash only.

The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Nevada Police Department, MMCCDTF members, jail staff, and all assisting agencies for their teamwork and dedication in helping remove dangerous narcotics from our community.

05/18/2026

This morning, Nevada Police were dispatched to a hotel in the 2400 block of Marvel St. regarding a domestic assault that possibly involved a firearm. Officers responded to the area and observed what appeared to be a confrontation occurring in the parking lot.

As officers began arriving on scene, the alleged suspect entered a black Chevy Silverado and attempted to leave the location. Nevada Police attempted to stop the vehicle, however the driver failed to yield, initiating a pursuit.

The driver fled northbound on I-49, where Nevada Police, and Vernon County Deputies continued the pursuit. The pursuit eventually entered Bates County, where Bates County Deputies successfully deployed stop sticks on the interstate north of Rich Hill and near Highway 52, ultimately disabling the vehicle.

The suspect came to a stop in the middle of the interstate, where law enforcement officers safely took the driver into custody. Further investigation revealed the driver had warrants for his arrest in multiple jurisdictions in both Missouri and Kansas.

The driver has been identified as 35 year old, Christopher Beverley, of Joplin, Missouri. The Vernon County Prosecuting Attorney has filed the following criminal charges against Beverly: Domestic Assault 2nd Degree, Class D Felony, Resisting Arrest - Creating Substantial Risk, Class E Felony, Exceeded Posted Speed Limit, Class C Misdemeanor, Fail to Stop for Steady Red Signal, Class C Misdemeanor. His Bond was set at $25,000 cash only. Beverley is currently being held in the Bates County Jail.

This incident is another excellent example of multiple law enforcement agencies working together to help keep our communities safe. We would like to give thanks to the Bates County Sheriff's Office & Vernon County Sheriff's Office for the assistance in this investigation.

05/18/2026

The opioid epidemic continues to place significant demands on law enforcement, EMS, fire services, healthcare providers, and community support agencies. To effectively combat and track this ongoing crisis, opioid settlement funding should be strategically invested in modern Records Management Systems (RMS), Jail Management Systems (JMS), and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) platforms.

These systems provide critical tools for identifying overdose trends, tracking repeat incidents, coordinating multi-agency responses, and improving data sharing between public safety and healthcare partners. Enhanced RMS capabilities allow agencies to document and analyze overdose events, naloxone deployments, drug-related arrests, and intervention outcomes with greater accuracy and efficiency. JMS platforms can assist in identifying individuals with substance use disorders, facilitating diversion programs, treatment referrals, and continuity of care during incarceration and release.

Additionally, upgraded CAD systems enable real-time response tracking, hotspot identification, and deployment optimization for overdose emergencies. Integrating CAD, RMS, and JMS data creates a comprehensive operational picture that supports prevention, enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts across the community.

Using opioid funding for these technologies is not simply an investment in software; it is an investment in data-driven public safety, accountability, and long-term community health outcomes. Modern interoperable systems strengthen agencies’ ability to respond proactively to the opioid crisis, improve reporting requirements tied to settlement funding, and support measurable reductions in overdose deaths and opioid-related crime.

By prioritizing technology infrastructure that enhances coordination, analytics, and intervention capabilities, communities can build a more effective and sustainable response to the opioid epidemic.
Thank You for your continued support
Sheriff Mike Buehler

05/15/2026

Thank you Traci Cliffman and Maci Steele for the donuts and orange juice this morning!

We are always appreciative of the support we receive from our community.

05/14/2026

Today we had the opportunity to break bread with all departments. Building bridges and maintaining them with collaborative work, we can accomplish one main goal, taking care of the citizens of Vernon County. Sheriff and Captain Westerhold prepared lunch for everyone for National Police Week.
We would like to say Thank You to all the LEO brothers and sisters.

05/13/2026

Thank you to Community National Bank for the treat box! We are always appreciative of the support from the community.

05/13/2026

The Vernon County Sheriff's Office would like to Thank NRMC for the much appreciated lunch that was served today. THANKS to all who prepared it.

05/13/2026

Thank you to Edward Jones- Financial Advisor: Claire Hooe and Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Kyle Hooe for the Freddy's Gift Cards they donated to our deputies in recognition of National Police Week.

Your generosity does more than just provide resources—it reminds our officers that the community they protect has their backs. We are honored to serve you every day. 👮🏻👮🏻‍♀️