Franklin County Sheriff's Office

10/07/2026

This past weekend, the FCSO K9 team visited Center Hill Road in Weld for some seasonal puppy glamour shots!

On the left we have Deputy Frost's K9, Rip. As the newest doggo of the pack, Deputy Frost and K9 Rip have been attending K9 school together at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. Their anticipated graduation date is in early November. FCSO is anxiously awaiting the DNA test results to see what breeds K9 Rip is made of!

Front and center is the goodest boy, Atlas, Deputy Gray's K9 partner. The pair have been working together since January 2025, sniffing out narcotics during traffic stops and working towards a certification in tracking and article detection. In true to German Shepherd form, K9 Atlas can't wait for the winter snow to arrive!

Over on the right is queen K9 Rahka, loyal comrade to Sergeant Couture since December 2021. K9 Rahka's sniffer is certified in narcotic detection, evidence recovery, and tracking. As the senior German Shepherd of the team, K9 Rahka loves to show the boys how to make FCSO proud!

10/07/2026

Franklin County is looking for a dependable Cook to join the Detention Center kitchen team. This is not a huge restaurant line or a hectic dining room. You will generally be preparing and serving meals for about 15-35 inmates per meal in a calm, clean, air-conditioned kitchen, with your main focus on dinner service.

Our kitchen team is small - just three people - so everyone pitches in. One day you may be cooking dinner and baking; the next you may be prepping for tomorrow, checking inventory, mopping the floor, or helping develop a recipe. If you like variety, can work independently, and take pride in good food and a clean kitchen, this could be a great fit.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is seeking motivated, community-minded individuals to join our team as Patrol Deputies. This is an opportunity to serve one of Maine's most scenic and welcoming regions while building a rewarding career in law enforcement. As a Patrol Deputy, you will play a vita...

09/14/2026

PRESS RELEASE
September 12, 2026 – 4:52 p.m.

Sgt. Austin Couture responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash involving an ATV and a passenger vehicle at the intersection of Cohoon Road and Vienna Road (Route 41) in Chesterville.
According to the investigation, Michael Kidd Jr., 35, of Chesterville, was operating a 2005 Honda ATV on Cohoon Road and approaching the intersection with Vienna Road. Upon reaching the intersection, Kidd failed to stop or yield to traffic and entered Vienna Road, where the ATV was struck by a 2006 Toyota Camry operated by Christopher Roe, 38, of Vienna.

The collision ejected Kidd and his passenger, Karrie Phenes, 46, from the ATV. Kidd sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. Phenes sustained severe, life-threatening injuries and was transported by LifeFlight of Maine to a Portland hospital.

Assisting Sgt. Couture at the scene were Deputy Zenteno and two deputies from the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, who conducted the crash reconstruction. Chesterville Fire Department and New Sharon Fire Rescue also responded to the scene. Maine Health Franklin EMS assisted with emergency medical care and transport.
The crash remains under investigation.

Sheriff Scott R. Nichols Sr.
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

09/02/2026

The promotion of Major Close and the departure of Sergeant Sholan created two vacancies within the Patrol Sergeant ranks. Deputies Rex Schweighofer, Gerry Maccione, Isaac Wacome, and Andrew Morgan participated in a competitive selection process for those positions.
The process lasted approximately five hours and required each candidate to appear before an oral board and demonstrate his knowledge, judgment, leadership ability, and practical supervisory skills. Candidates were evaluated in several areas, including reviewing affidavits for probable cause, preparing search warrants under field conditions, and demonstrating the proper procedures for receiving and handling citizen complaints involving County employees.
At the conclusion of the process, Deputies Andrew Morgan and Isaac Wacome were selected as the Sheriff’s Office’s newest Patrol Sergeants. Both officially assumed their new duties on August 31 and were publicly pinned during the Commissioners’ meeting on September 1.

08/18/2026

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is seeking motivated, community-minded individuals to join our team as Patrol Deputies. This is an opportunity to serve one of Maine's most scenic and welcoming regions while building a rewarding career in law enforcement.
Visit our website for more information:

The Franklin County Detention Center has an opening for a part-time Corrections Officer, subject to Article 10 of the agreement between the Franklin County Commissioners and the NCEU for the Franklin County Detention Center.

08/13/2026

Each August, Franklin County holds its annual Employee Recognition Luncheon, providing an opportunity to recognize employees for their years of dedicated service to the citizens of Franklin County, as well as those who have distinguished themselves through outstanding performance, leadership, and commitment.

This year, we were proud to recognize the following individuals:

Deputy Rex Schweighofer – Deputy of the Second Quarter
Sergeant Austin Couture – Deputy of the First Quarter
Alison Prior – Certificate of Appreciation for Programs and Reentry
Noah Mayrose – Certificate of Appreciation
Austin Yeaton – Certificate for Outstanding Performance
Dakota Mumma – Certificate of Appreciation
Sergeant Michael Pratt – Certificate of Professional Leadership

Franklin County is indeed fortunate to have these outstanding individuals serving our communities. Just as importantly, they are representative of the many dedicated County employees who work each day, often behind the scenes, to serve the citizens of Franklin County with professionalism, commitment, and pride.

Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients, and thank you for your service to Franklin County!

08/06/2026

Franklin County National Night Out

National Night Out is our second annual community-building event that strengthens the partnership between law enforcement, first responders, and the communities we proudly serve. In rural Franklin County, it is an opportunity to bring neighbors, families, and public safety professionals together in a relaxed and enjoyable setting, fostering trust, friendship, and a shared commitment to keeping our communities safe.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is proud to sponsor this event with the valued assistance of the Farmington, Wilton, UMF, and Jay Police Departments, along with the dedicated members of the Farmington, Wilton, New Sharon, Chesterville, and Jay Fire and EMS agencies. Their willingness to work together demonstrates the strong spirit of cooperation that exists throughout Franklin County.

This year's event was especially memorable thanks to the Maine Army National Guard, who brought one of their Black Hawk helicopters for the public to explore and learn about. Families also enjoyed bounce houses, children's activities, games, and opportunities to meet the men and women who serve their communities every day.

National Night Out reminds us that public safety is built on relationships. By bringing neighbors together with law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and our military partners, we strengthen the bonds of trust that make Franklin County not only a safer place to live, but a stronger and more connected community.

08/05/2026

“Today at the jail, we hosted a meeting of the medical and behavioral health subgroup of our COSSUP grant which included a tour of the jail’s new medical facility. We are delighted that so many medical professionals were able to attend the meeting and are grateful for the ongoing partnership these individuals provide when incarcerated individuals leave the facility. Coordination during the reentry process is a critical component of successful community reentry. “
Alane O’Connor, DNP