Johnston County Oklahoma Sheriff's Office

07/28/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Deputy Joseph Schanz on his promotion to Sergeant! 🎉

Sergeant Schanz has shown outstanding dedication, integrity, and service to the citizens of Johnston County throughout his career. This promotion is well-deserved, and we know he'll continue to lead with the same excellence that got him here.

Congratulations, Sergeant Schanz — thank you for your continued service to our community! 👏🚔

We were going to wait until August 1st but we made official today!!!

~Sheriff Gary W. Dodd, Johnston County Sheriff's Office

07/12/2026

🚨UPDATE🚨: Subject is in custody and has been transported to the Johnston County Jail. A Probable Cause Affidavit and Report will be submitted to the Chickasaw Nation Prosecutors Office for filing of formal charges.

We would like to thank our partners with the Chickasaw Lighthorse Police, Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Oklahoma Game Wardens for their assistance in this situation.

———————————————————————

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Johnston County Sheriff's Office
July 12, 2026 – 3:30 AM

ACTIVE TACTICAL OPERATION — 5TH STREET, MANNSVILLE

The Johnston County Sheriff's Office, along with the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police tactical unit, is currently conducting a tactical operation in the area of 5th Street in Mannsville.

Deputies are responding to a domestic violence incident involving an armed, barricaded subject. Negotiators and tactical personnel are on scene and actively working to resolve the situation safely.

The public is strongly encouraged to stay away from the 5th Street area in Mannsville at this time.

This is an ongoing and evolving situation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available and can be safely shared without compromising officer or public safety.

~Sheriff Gary W. Dodd

07/04/2026

From all of us at the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, “Happy 250th Independence Day America!!” This Country and We the People are no less exceptional than our Founding Fathers and those who came before us. God has put us here, in this time and place for a reason! Earn every day what they fought for, and what our ancestors built. It is our time to fight, it is our time to build, it is our time to make sure the flame of Freedom burns bright and the sweet bells of Liberty are never silenced.

Never let anyone tell you America is anything less than exceptional and we it’s people aren’t special, because you are! So, let the rockets red glare and let those bombs burst in the air, and by God’s grace, let Freedom Ring from Sea to shining Sea! 🤠🇺🇸 🇺🇸🇺🇸

~Sheriff Gary W. Dodd

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day we honor the ultimate sacrifices made by the men and women who gave their lives for something bigger than one’s self. They fought and died for their brothers and sisters next to them, and for the freedoms we all enjoy. Freedom is not free, it comes from those who are willing to fight and die for it.

From all of us here at the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, you will never be forgotten…

John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

~Sheriff Gary W. Dodd

05/15/2026

Today we remember and honor the lives and sacrifices of those who have lost their lives in the service to their communities and Country. 114 Law Enforcement Officers were killed in the line-of-duty last year. This year alone over 40 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line-of-duty. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten, as we and an entire Nation honors them.

This is also National Police Week and we honor those who have and continue to serve. I am so thankful for the men and women who stand in the gap, willing to meet evil head on. I remain truly humbled and honored to lead the dedicated men and women of the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office as your Sheriff. We also want to thank the citizens of Johnston County, for the continued love, support and trust you give us!

“The wicked flee when no man pursueth but the righteous are as bold as lions. Proverbs 28;1”

~Sheriff Gary W. Dodd

05/09/2026

🚨Dangerous Pursuit with two arrested🚨

This past Saturday night on May 2, at approximately 10:30pm a vehicle pursuit was initiated by the Tishomingo Police Department.

Tishomingo Police Officers along with Madill Police Officers were attempting to locate a vehicle and suspect, which fled from the Madill Police Department the night before. This same vehicle had also fled from law enforcement in Gainesville, Texas. In both instances the suspect was able to elude law enforcement. Officers located the vehicle at a residence in Tishomingo and were in the process of making contact, when the driver fled in a black Chrysler 300.

Tishomingo Officers attempted to stop the vehicle however, the driver instigated a vehicle pursuit. The pursuit proceeded east on Main Street and left the City limits toward the Town of Milburn. The pursuit continued east on SHW 78 at speed over 100mph and passing vehicles in a no passing zone. Johnston County Deputies, Chickasaw Lighthorse Police and Murray State Campus Police began converging towards the pursuit to assist.

The suspect continued fleeing through the Town of Milburn and south on SHW 78 through the community of Emit towards Nida. The driver then turned east on Stallings Road to Boundary Road, turning south towards Bryan County.

Moments later units located the suspect vehicle running the stop sign at Boundary Rd. and the pursuit continued into Bryan County, east on SHW 22 towards Kenefic. The pursuit then reached speeds over 120mph. An Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper then arrived at the intersection of SHW 22 & 48. However, the Trooper was unable to deploy spike strips in time and the pursuit turning northbound on SHW 48 back towards Johnston County.

As the pursuit re-entered Johnston County the suspect began brake checking the Chickasaw Lighthorse Police unit and intentionally drove into an open field at SHW 48 and Richardson Ln.

Chickasaw Lighthorse attempted a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) maneuver however, the suspect was able to continue through the field. At this time Johnston County Sheriff Gary Dodd, equipped with an all-wheel-drive pursuit rated pickup, was able to take the lead and performed a successful TVI maneuver. The Sheriff subsequently pushed the vehicle into a tree line, preforming a controlled pinning maneuver, bringing this dangerous pursuit to an end.

The driver fled south on foot jumping several fences, he was eventually chased down by Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Officer Brent Hall, which took him into custody. At this same time, the Sheriff was able to take the passenger into custody as other units arrived. The driver, Lawrence Jaramillo of Tishomingo and passenger Dennis Harrell of Tishomingo, were both arrested and taken to jail.

Jaramillo, a Native male arrested within the Choctaw Nation boundaries of Johnston County was arrested on a Choctaw Nation warrant, felony eluding, driving with a suspended license and resisting arrest. He was transported by Johnston County Deputies to the Atoka County Jail, the nearest Choctaw Nation holding facility. Harrell, a non-native male was arrested for public intoxication-drugs and transported to the Johnston County Jail!

We are grateful for our partners with the Chickasaw Lighthorse Police, Tishomingo Police, Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Murray State Campus Police for their assistance and dedication to serve!

04/29/2026

We are asking residents of Johnston County who received damage from yesterday’s storm, to please report online in the attached link. This is to ensure damages are reported, gives us a better idea of the impact of the damage and helps connect you to resources.

Johnston County and State Emergency Management Officials will also be in the area assessing damage.

~Sheriff Gary W. Dodd

State and local emergency management officials are asking residents impacted by Tuesday's storms in southern Oklahoma to report damages online at damage.ok.gov. Residents can report damage to homes or businesses.

Reporting online helps authorities understand the impact of damages and can help connect you to recovery resources.

04/29/2026

📢Storm and Tornado Damage📢

Emergency Management, Fire personnel and Deputies have responded to several locations in the County, which suffered structural damage. County Road Crews have also been out working diligently removing debris, cutting trees and clearing roads. Atoka County was also hit hard, Deputies, Fire and Emergency Management personnel have also responded to Atoka County to assist our neighbors to the east. At this time we have no estimate of when power will be restored to portions of northern and eastern Johnston County.

A big shoutout to the Coleman School FFA! Unfortunately they had to cancel their banquet due to the weather and power outage but the food did not go to waste. They fed first responders and emergency personnel free of charge! We live in a great community🤠

Please say a prayer for all those affected by this evenings storm in Johnston and Atoka Counties. Also, say a prayer for all the Law Enforcement, Fire, and Emergency Management Personnel out working.

~Sheriff Gary W. Dodd

04/13/2026

📢🚨UPDATE, CAPTURED at 7:01am🚨📢

At 6:02am this morning, the Sheriff’s Office received a call from a passerby on Prairie View Rd. The caller stated they had spotted a male subject near Rock Creek, possibly swinging a bat. Deputies immediately responded to the area and at 7:01am Deputy Jakus Hull located suspect Ronnie Maples. He was taken into custody and is currently enroute to the Johnston County Jail. Maples will face a number of local charges before be extradited back to Texas. Thank you to all the citizens, which called in and a job well done by our Deputies and Emergency Management!

🚨Manhunt for Wanted Fugitive out of Texas🚨

On Sunday evening, April 12th, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office was advised of a domestic situation and assault in Bryan County. The suspect, Ronnie Lynn Maples of Bonham, Texas, had fled from Deputies and was last seen possibly heading toward Johnston County. Johnston County Deputies searched the area but were unable to locate a vehicle matching the description.

At approximately 5:42pm the Sheriff’s Office received a phone call from a passerby of a suspicion event in the Nida area. The caller stated a female had supposedly jumped out of a vehicle, another person had taken the female’s vehicle and the female was now running through a pasture. Deputies arrived and began canvassing the area, when we received another call on Blackburn Road.

The caller on Blackburn Road stated a female was at her house and the female was claiming someone was trying to kill her. Deputies arrived and began speaking with the female, which stated her boyfriend Ronnie Maples had taken her car. Deputies again resumed searching the area.

At approximately 8:25pm a Deputy located a vehicle matching the description on Prairie View Road next to Rock Creek. The vehicle was parked on the side of the road with the hood up and a male subject working on the vehicle. As Deputy Joey Schanz exited his patrol unit, the male subject fled on foot running west. As the Deputy gained on the subject, it appeared the male was holding a possible knife in his right hand. Deputy Schanz deployed his taser, which was not effective and suspect Ronnie Maples jumped into Rock Creek, swimming to the west bank of the creek.

Maples then fled north through dense woods, where deputies continued to pursue on foot. A Sheriff’s K-9 and also thermal drones from the Sheriff’s Office and Johnston County Emergency Management were deployed. Deputies and other law enforcement spent approximately six hours searching the woods for Maples but to no avail.

*Deputies will remain in the area however, residents in the Prairie View area should remain vigilant. Keep everything locked up and call 911 immediately if you see suspect Ronnie Maples.

Maples also has a full extradition warrant out of Texas, for failing to register as a s*x offender. Again, please contact the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office if you see fugitive Ronnie Maples.

~Sheriff Gary W. Dodd