Howard County Sheriff's Office

07/04/2026

Wishing everyone a happy and safe 4th of July from all of us here at the Sheriffs Office

07/03/2026

**ATTENTION HOWARD COUNTY RESIDENTS**

DUE TO THE EXTREME RAINFALL THAT HOWARD COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREAS HAVE RECEIVED IN THE PAST FEW DAYS, THE WATER LEVELS ARE STARTING TO RISE ON LOCAL RIVERS AND STREAMS. IN TALKING WITH LOCAL AGENCIES IN OUR AREA, WE WOULD LIKE TO DISCOURAGE THE PUBLIC FROM CANOEING / KAYAKING ON THE FLOODED OR RAIN-SWOLLEN RIVERS THIS WEEKEND FOR EVERYONE’S SAFETY. RISING WATERS CAN BE VERY FAST MOVING AND HIDE DEBRIS UNDER THE SURFACE THAT COULD BE A HAZARDOUS / LIFE THREATNING. WE WOULD LIKE EVERYONE TO STAY SAFE THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND. ALSO, A REMINDER TO NEVER DRIVE THROUGH STANDING WATER.

07/01/2026

06/05/2026

Per the Howard County Sheriff’s Office an ALL CLEAR has been issued for Protivin. The wanted subject was successfully taken into custody with the assistance of K9 Legend.

05/29/2026

Owners have been found!

These two dogs were found last night near 14359 Kent Ave, Elma. Please contact the Howard County Sheriff’s Office 563-547-3535 if you know who they belong to.

05/05/2026

Howard County Sheriff's Office Full-Time Communications Dispatcher and Jailer.
The Howard County Sheriff's Office in Cresco, IA is accepting applications for a full-time Dispatcher/911 Operator/Jailer. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: receiving 911 and administrative calls, operating CAD dispatch software, maintain Iowa NCIC records, paging ambulance & fire departments, booking/releasing inmates, and supervision of inmates.
Shifts involve days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Starting Base Pay for Probationary Period is $21.42
After 6 months Probation Base Pay is $23.80
Shift differential pay added for later shifts and yearly pay step increases.
Applications can be picked up at the Howard County Sheriff's Office, 124 South Park Place in Cresco or email Jennifer Bauer at [email protected].
Questions, please contact the Howard County Sheriff's Office at 563-547-3535.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

04/08/2026

After K-9 Legend’s first year on the job, we would like to share with you what he has been up to. K-9 Legend has assisted in over thirty (30) calls for service in his first year with the Howard County Sheriff’s Office. What does this mean? This means he has helped track down lost individuals and wanted fugitives. Not only has he been a major asset in locating individuals, but he also helped us take illegal narcotics off the roadways and streets. If it were not for Legend’s hard work and amazing nose, the illicit drugs would have reached their destination. We would like to thank the citizens of Howard County and everyone else who has contributed to making the HCSO K-9 program what it is today. By doing so you helped us remove Methamphetamine, Ma*****na, Fentanyl, and Hallucinogenic mushrooms from our communities. This is only the beginning of K-9 Legends career, and we are excited to see what the future holds. If you would like to donate or just want to know more about K-9 Legend, feel free to stop in at the Howard County Sheriff’s Office or contact K-9 handler Deputy Ben Hillyer at [email protected] or Sheriff Rick Busch at [email protected].