Wright County Sheriff's Office

10/31/2026

🎃🚔 HALLOWEEN SAFETY NOTICE — WRIGHT COUNTY, MISSOURI 🚔🎃

The Wright County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind residents to take precautions as families throughout our county prepare for Halloween.
Wright County has 99 registered s*x offenders.

Residents can review the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s official registry to find information about registered offenders in their communities.

🔎 SEARCH THE OFFICIAL MISSOURI S*X OFFENDER REGISTRY:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/CJ38/searchRegistry.jsp

👮 INCREASED PATROLS & COMPLIANCE CHECKS

On Saturday, October 31, Wright County deputies and our municipal law enforcement partners will be conducting compliance checks pursuant to Section 589.426, RSMo, while also patrolling neighborhoods throughout the county.

These efforts are intended to help ensure compliance with Missouri law and promote a safe Halloween for children and families.

⚖️ HALLOWEEN RESTRICTIONS — SECTION 589.426 RSMo

Missouri law requires individuals who are required to register as s*x offenders to comply with the following restrictions on October 31:

🔹 No Halloween-related contact with children. Registered s*x offenders must avoid all Halloween-related contact with children.

🔹 Remain inside their residence. They must remain inside their residence between 5:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., unless they must be elsewhere for just cause, including employment or a medical emergency.

🔹 Exterior lights must remain off. All outside residential lighting must be turned off after 5:00 p.m.

Violations of the applicable statutory restrictions may constitute a Class A misdemeanor.

🎃 PARENTS & GUARDIANS:

✔️ Plan your children’s trick-or-treating routes.

✔️ Accompany younger children and remain aware of their surroundings.

✔️ Review the state’s s*x offender registry before heading out.

✔️ Report suspected violations or suspicious activity to local law enforcement.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Sheriff BJ Adler

10/30/2026

Be something bigger than yourself!!!!!

We are hiring correctional staff at the Wright County Adult Detention Center! If you’re ready to serve your community and make a difference, we’d like to hear from you.

Apply in person at the Wright County Sheriff’s Office or call Chief Deputy Akers at (417) 741-7576 for application information.

Please share and help us find our next jailer!!

Chief Deputy Akers
193

10/30/2026

Kansas Fugitive arrested in Wright County

If you observed a large law enforcement presence on Highway 38 and north Highway E this afternoon, here's what happened.

The Wright County Sheriff's Office was contacted by the United States Marshals Service regarding a wanted fugitive from the state of Kansas. William Cockrum, 46, was discovered to be residing at a residence outside of Hartville. He was wanted for felony burglary, theft and a drug charge.

Upon law enforcement's arrival, Cockrum retreated into the residence and refused to come outside. Information obtained at the scene indicated that several juveniles were also inside the home.

Due to the circumstances, mutual aid assistance was requested.

After numerous commands the juveniles safely exited the residence. Cockrum was located in the residence, by US Marshals and was taken into custody without incident.

**Per Cockrum, this was all a misunderstanding, as he stated he fell asleep and knew nothing was going on. Apparently, he went full throttle to power nap quicker than a speeder dropping from 90 to 65 when they see a Trooper....**

I am thankful that this situation resolved without incident. I am grateful for our working relationship with our local, state and federal partners. These relationships are essential in keeping our community safe.

Sheriff Adler

10/29/2026

Our jailers have been working hard in defensive tactics training to make our facility safer for staff and inmates. Part of that training included OC exposure, and Jail Supervisor Doni Deckard led the way! Anyone who has been through it can feel these pictures!

A big shout-out to our very own Deputy David House, our defensive tactics instructor, and all our jailers for their hard work and dedication!

Chief Deputy Akers
193

10/17/2026

UPDATE He has been found and is safe. Thank you to everyone for their assistance.

UPDATE He has been found and is safe. Thank you to everyone for their assistance.

If you have any information please contact the Douglas County Sheriffs Office. We have multiple Deputies and Agencies attempting to locate him.

09/14/2026

WRIGHT COUNTY BURN BAN — EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

Due to severe drought conditions and extremely high fire danger, the Wright County Commissioners have enacted a countywide burn ban effective today, September 14.

No open burning, campfires, trash burning, or other fires are permitted, except as specifically allowed by the resolution. The ban will remain in effect for 60 days unless rescinded or extended.

This is serious. Firefighters across Wright County are currently battling a fire that has already grown to several hundred acres.

Please do your part: DO NOT BURN. Help us protect our communities, property, and firefighters.

09/13/2026

The Sheriff’s Administrative Office will be closed September 14–21 and will resume normal business on Tuesday, September 22.

Deputies will continue working as normal, and law enforcement services will not be affected by this administrative office closure. For emergencies, call 911.

For non-emergencies or to reach a deputy, contact Dispatch at 417-547-7182.

09/11/2026

September 11, 2001

Twenty-five years later, we remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost on September 11, 2001. We remember the families who lost loved ones, the first responders who ran toward danger, and the heroes who gave everything in service to others.

But I also believe we should remember what happened in the days and weeks that followed.

Neighbors helped neighbors.

People put aside their differences and came together. Communities looked after one another. Americans stood shoulder to shoulder, united by something bigger than ourselves. Our flag flew proudly, and people were proud to be Americans.

That spirit is still alive here in Wright County.

We are fortunate to have so many great citizens who look out for one another, lend a helping hand, and still understand what it means to be a good neighbor. That sense of community and neighborliness is something worth protecting and passing on.

Today, we remember the lives lost. We honor the heroes. And we remember the unity, courage, compassion, and neighborliness that emerged from one of our nation’s darkest days.

May we never forget.

09/10/2026

IMPAIRED DRIVERS TAKEN OFF WRIGHT COUNTY ROADS

Wright County deputies participated in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, which ran from August 19 through September 7, with a focus on identifying and removing impaired drivers from our roadways.

I am pleased to report that multiple impaired drivers have been taken off Wright County roads over the last month.

These efforts represent more than traffic stops. They represent opportunities to prevent someone from becoming a victim of an impaired driver.

I am proud of my deputies and their efforts to keep Wright County and our roadways safe.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

— Sheriff BJ Adler

09/09/2026

ARREST- STALKING IN THE FIRST DEGREE

On September 7, 2026, a Wright County Deputy and a Mountain Grove Officer responded to a residence north of Mountain Grove after receiving a report of a male on the property threatening to kill members of the family.

The victim reported that the male, later identified as Edward J. Morey, 50, of Mountain Grove, had been pounding on the garage door and making threats before leaving the property on foot.

Morey was located at a nearby residence. During the investigation, Morey admitted he had gone to the victim’s property because he believed the victim had stolen his cell phone. Morey later acknowledged that he had been mistaken and had located his phone.

Morey was placed under arrest. During the arrest and subsequent transport, Morey made multiple threats toward the arresting deputy and the deputy’s family, including statements that he would kill the deputy and others if released.

A warrant was subsequently issued for Morey for Stalking in the First Degree, a Class C felony.

Morey is currently being held in the Wright County Jail without bond.

*All charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.