Johnston County Oklahoma Sheriff's Office

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 hold 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

03/25/2026

🤠📢Sheriff’s Office Spotlight📢🤠

Environmental Deputy and Inmate Trustee road crew.

As many of you already know, in December of 2023 the Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Working with our County Commissioners, I was then able to hire an Environmental Deputy Sheriff and began using County Inmate Trustees to clean up the State Highways here in Johnston County.

This program has been widely successful as many citizens continue to share their thanks with me, Deputy Steve Boman and the trustees themselves. Several citizens have stopped by thanking them and even brought them food and drinks in appreciation. These crews have picked up TONS of garbage from the roadside, w**d eating, trimming trees, etc.

As I have traveled through the County the past couple of days, I couldn’t help but notice how much of an impact this program has produced. With Spring in full swing and the green grass coming on, the roadways look amazing. I am extremely proud of Deputy Boman and our Trustees who continue working to make Johnston County a beautiful place to live and visit.

We have also used this crew on some our County Roads, such as Bullard Chapel Rd, which leads to the Blue River Fishing and Hunting area. The difference is extremely noticeable and the residents along the roadways have voiced their appreciation!

However, these efforts are continuous, as some people keep throwing garbage out while traveling our roads. So, with that said here’s a friendly reminder, littering is still against the law. So as the old saying goes, “KEEP OUR LAND GRAND,” “Don’t Litter.”

As you can see, we here at the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office continue to try and keep our County cleaned up, in more ways than one!!!

Have a Blessed Day!
~Sheriff Gary W. Dodd

03/24/2026

🚨Felony Pursuit and Arrest🚨

Outstanding work from our Johnston County Deputy, Love County Deputies, the Cooke County Sheriff’s Office and the Valley View Police Department!! The relationships and partnerships we have created WORK!!! We and our partner agencies are committed to protecting to southern Oklahoma!!!

~Sheriff Gary W. Dodd

🚨Felony Pursuit 🚨

Yesterday shortly after 4pm a Deputy with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office working in conjunction with our office on a criminal interdiction shift attempted to stop a silver SUV for excessive speeds.

The vehicle exited at the 15mm southbound on I-35 and then immediately got back on the interstate and fled from the Deputy.

A pursuit was called out and spanned the length from mm 15 in Oklahoma to where it ended in Texas near the 483 mile marker. The suspect vehicle ran vehicles off the roadway and struck an innocent motorist’s vehicle and that is when the Johnston County Deputy setup for a TVI where he, Valley View Police Officer, and Thackerville Police Officer successfully rendered the vehicle inoperable.

At the conclusion of the pursuit it was found that this scumbag had 2 innocent infant children in the backseat throughout this event and put their lives in danger because of his poor life choices.

The driver was arrested and will be facing felony eluding and child endangerment charges across 2 states along with his outstanding warrants he was running from in Texas.

Thank you to all agencies who assisted us on this dangerous pursuit that could have been prevented had the driver pulled over and followed commands from law enforcement.

-Sheriff Cumberledge

03/11/2026

‼️If you receive this text or a similar one, this is a SCAM‼️ Do not click the link associated with the text.
Consider filing a complaint for scams at the following FBI website, https://www.ic3.gov

🚨 Scam Alert 🚨

We are seeing the re-emergence of a text message scam claiming to be from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety about unpaid traffic violations. The message threatens license suspension, registration revocation, and collections unless payment is made immediately through a link.

Do not click the link. It’s a scam.

State agencies do not demand payment or threaten enforcement through unsolicited text messages, and the link provided in these messages is not an official government payment site.

If you receive one:
• Do not click the link
• Do not provide personal or payment information
• Delete the message and report it as spam

If you have concerns about your license or registration, contact DPS directly through their official website or phone number.

Please share this warning so others don’t fall victim.

02/24/2026

🚨 Homicide Suspect Arrested 🚨

Earlier tonight, suspect Todd Stevens of Bronson, Texas, was arrest by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office at a residence on the north side of Tishomingo, off of U.S. 377.

On the evening of February 22, 2026, the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office in Texas, received a call of a shooting in their County. Sabine County Deputies responded to the call locating evidence of a shooting and interviewed witnesses, which stated Todd Stevens had shot another man. After the shooting, Stevens left the scene in the victims truck, with the victim also still inside of the vehicle.

Just after 10:00pm on February 22, the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, also in Texas, was dispatched to a vehicle fire underneath the Trinity River Bridge on Interstate 10. After the fire was extinguished Chamber County Deputies discovered the burnt remains of an individual, which also appeared to have injuries consistent with being shot. Deputies noticed the truck matched the type of vehicle, which was involved in the shooting in Sabine County, TX.

Sabine and Chambers County Sheriff’s Offices began collaborating in their investigations and the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office secured an arrest warrant for Todd Stevens in connection to the shooting. Through their combined investigative efforts they developed information Stevens was fleeing the area, possibly being assisted by a family member. Through investigative work they also developed leads Stevens was possibly headed towards Oklahoma, specifically the Johnston County area.

Tonight just after 5pm the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, relaying the information they had and requesting our assistance in locating and arresting Stevens. Several JCSO Deputies immediately responded to a residence in the Town of Wapanucka, where Stevens was believed to be located. An extensive search of the area failed to produce Stevens, however through interviews and investigative work Deputies discovered another residence in the City of Tishomingo, where the suspect could be hiding.

With this new information the Sheriff, Undersheriff and multiple Deputies started towards this location. While enroute to this new location, information was obtained from what appears to possibly be a co-conspirator, which had been arrested in Sherman, Texas just hours earlier. Authorities in Sherman, TX, stated the individual in their custody admitted to dropping Stevens off at the residence on the north side of Tishomingo.

With this first party information, Deputies arrived and surrounded the residence, and began call-out procedures. Eventually, five individuals exited the residence and were placed in investigative detention. Deputies began clearing the house and out buildings, where at approximately 7:44pm Stevens was ultimately located, hiding underneath a bed mattress in the master bedroom. Deputies interviewed and took statements from the other individuals at the residence, which were subsequently released from investigative detention.

The Sabine County Sheriff’s Office was notified we had their suspect in custody and Stevens was transported to the Johnston County Jail to await extradition back to Sabine County, Texas. It is also expected Stevens will face criminal charges in Chambers County Texas, where the victims body and vehicle were discovered.

We are extremely proud of the collaboration between law enforcement agencies, including our fellow Sheriff’s Offices in Texas. The communication between all agencies brought a swift end to this suspects run. Also, allowing us to remove him from our community, protecting the Citizens of Johnston County and Oklahoma.

The investigative efforts of the Sabine and Chambers County Sheriff’s Offices in Texas and the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office here in Oklahoma are to be commended. Excellent work by all involved and a job well done! These efforts now allow this suspect to face justice for the victim and family of this heinous crime.

Questions regarding the crimes Stevens was arrested for, should be forwarded to the Sabine and Chambers County Sheriff’s Offices, in Texas.

~ Sheriff Gary W. Dodd