Most of the time it is dark and quiet outside, and everyone is sleeping as they should be; everyone except for the ones at the drug house we are about to kick open the door to. In this house, they are still awake, vacuuming their couch or adding more tape to the aluminum foil over their windows. ...

The shed was not a typical backyard storage shed; it wasn’t decorated to match the house and look like a little cabin with windows on each side of the door to let light in for gardening. It was more of a leaning oblong structure with tin metal siding that was slightly different colors depending on what side of the shed you looked at. ...

Every time we get a chance, we let young people know the dangers of meth and other illegal drugs and how devastating they can be to someone’s life. They need to know what can happen if they make that first bad decision to try something new. The one thing that everyone who has been on drugs has in common is that there was always a first time, a choice that was made without addiction. ...

I once spoke to someone while at a call who told me about some ideas he had for starting his own business so he could finally do what he had always wanted in life. His story included some progress along the way, but it also included many setbacks. Our conversation drifted to the ‘American Dream’ and the opportunities we still have in the United States. Our country has been built on people who defied all odds and achieved what others said could not be done...

Not long ago I was working with a detective when we noticed a vehicle in the area drive by and start to turn towards us, but seeing our car, change their mind and go in the opposite direction. We decided to check on it, but as soon as we got behind it, the car turned off the road and pulled into a stall at a car wash. ...

A few weeks ago, I watched a car pull out of a gas station and noticed a wallet was sitting on the trunk of the car. I attempted to get the drivers attention as they pulled out but could not get them to notice me. I then pulled up beside them at a stop light and again tried to get their attention but could not get the driver to even look up. ...

I heard a story recently where someone drove to a jail in a stolen vehicle to pick up someone else who was getting out of jail. The deputies just waited for them to walk right into the jail before they informed them that they were under arrest for stealing a car. ...

A couple of summers back, we had someone run on foot after a vehicle chase ended. The suspect was chased into the woods, but he managed to hide once inside the wooded area. A text alert was sent out to warn people of the suspect’s location and for the next several days the suspect was tracked by the phone calls we received from citizens in the area, telling us where they had seen him and in what direction he was headed. ...

People try all different ways of getting out of trouble when they think the trouble could land them in the county jail. There are a few ideas that do not work so well but some people have not figured that out yet. So, here are some tips: do not hide in a closet that is too small for you to fit in, because it is easy to spot you. ...

I recently attended training that focused on children and young adults who have committed violent crimes, and I was not surprised to find that one of the contributing factors the training pointed out were violent video games, music and music videos. ...

This week concluded our second jail academy here at the VCSO. We decided to put together an academy in 2017 to help provide a base of training that has been lacking overall in the jail industry. Because there are no state requirements for detention officers and it is left up to each Sheriff to set their own standards for training, we developed the Vernon County Jail Academy. ...

Responding to calls, investigating crimes and tracking down suspects is part of a daily task for deputies and investigators, but we have had a higher number of cases recently where the suspects are coming to us. People accidentally telling on themselves is one of those things that just happens; they cannot always help it when they mess up by alerting the cops to what they have done or who they are. ...

We recently talked about scams and how they can affect you if steps are not taken to verify who the person attempting to get money from you really is. We recently had someone come to the Sheriff’s Office with money wanting to bond a family member out of jail, but the only problem is we could not find any record of that person in our jail and the “sergeant” the person was told to meet with has never worked for the Sheriff’s Office. ...

Trying to explain something simple to a drunk person is like trying to teach a two-year-old how to build a flow chart for NASA. They look at you very intently for a minute and then ask the smartest question they can to let you know they are listening. ...

Online scams and phone scams are becoming more and more problematic as time goes on, and with the increase in the use of smartphones and computers it will most likely continue to be a problem. Scams are nothing new, but like many crimes, they change their tactics and the way they go about tricking people into giving them their information, money or stealing the information through a variety of ways. ...

There is an old saying that goes “all roads lead to Rome,” but our local criminals have found recently that some roads lead to well … nowhere. Some of our pursuits over the past few months have seen people turn down dead-end roads in their effort to outrun deputies in Vernon County. ...

I have talked a few times in the past about safety tips involving children with phones, computers and access to media devices. But we continue to work cases that involve a minor’s use of their phone and online accounts, often without the knowledge of the parent or guardian. ...

“This isn’t my place, so I don’t know what’s in here. Well yes … I guess I do live here, but if you find anything illegal, I’m not sure where it came from. Unless it’s money, that would be mine. But if it’s drugs, someone else left it there.” Sometimes we get conflicting and confusing answers from people when serving search warrants or attempting to question them on calls. ...

It is a common trend for domestic violence and other related calls to rise during the holidays, and this year was no exception. With deputies responding to multiple domestic calls the first week of the new year, it does not appear to be slowing down as we leave the holiday season behind us...

“Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” The first time I heard that phrase was from a teacher when I was a teenager. It has always stuck with me and often when I wake up, that phrase still comes to mind. Throughout your entire life, you make decisions that create your past. ...

The resolution of a situation almost always follows a chain of events that starts from a less consequential choice but ends in a more serious outcome. Recently we had a deputy attempt to pull over a vehicle and when it failed to yield, it proceeded to drive somewhat of a circle around the area he lived in. He did not drive very fast, and about the time the deputy thought maybe the driver was trying to play ring around the rosy, he pulled over and gave up...

A couple of years ago we tested the use of body cameras with our deputies in the Patrol Division. After a brief testing period with some of the deputes, we decided to make the body camera part of the standard issue equipment for each deputy. Since that time, we have continued to see the benefits of having incidents on camera when deputies respond to calls...

How do you catch a criminal who doesn’t want to be caught? Well, sometimes it takes a great deal of investigation, processing evidence and working with other agencies and the public. In other cases, however, you can just look on the camera system they left for you!...

It can be hard always being on the run with warrants out for you, peeking out the curtain before going outside, looking over your shoulder to make sure you haven’t been spotted and one slight problem like a headlight out could result in your arrest because of the warrant...

As different contracts within the Sheriff’s Office come due, I always like to shop around to make sure we are getting the best deal we can find for the money, and I am always finding myself surprised at how fast things continue to change in the world of technology. We recently attended a demo from a phone company that provides phones and other related software for jails and prisons, and this area, like others, has made significant changes in a short time...

For the average crystal meth dealer, it can be a dangerous world where everyone is only looking out for themselves and not their fellow meth dealing friends. Drug dealers will do almost anything to get their meth so they can distribute it, and because of this, they must take the appropriate action to make sure it is safe until the time of sale...

Two of our newest deputies have been in training for the past couple of months and will soon be completing their final weeks with their field-training officers before taking calls on their own. It has been good to see how they have progressed in their training, and the effort they have made to complete every task asked of them...

Last year a transport deputy was on his way back to the jail with a transport van full of inmates, when one of the inmates opened the door to the van and attempted to jump out at a stoplight. The inmate was suspected of using a paper clip to slowly manipulate the interior lock of the door. ...

It takes a lot of talent to run through the woods from law enforcement and manage to miss every tree as you run, so it was no surprise when the guy I was chasing was stopped by a mid-sized oak tree after he had made it about 100 yards into the woods. ...

Over the past two weeks we have been holding our first ever jail training academy at the Sheriff’s Office. We worked for several months to prepare the classes and arrange for all the instructors that would be coming in to help teach. This week they have graduated the academy and will begin their hands-on training in the jail. ...

I once worked a burglary case where someone had attempted to break into a liquor store, but an alarm went off and they were forced to run away. The window they tried to break into had bars over it and the person had all the tools they needed to complete their burglary once they got inside. Without thinking they tossed their bag between the bars and into the store before realizing they had just made a very big mistake. The bars were only 6 inches wide and their head was wider...

The process of becoming a certified law enforcement officer is fairly extensive in the state of Missouri. A person is required to complete a nearly 700-hour police academy, fingerprint background based investigation and pass a state exam administered by the Department of Public Safety...

There are many things that can make the job of a law enforcement officer difficult. Seeing how some people choose to destroy their lives by the choices they make, seeing the effects of those choices on children, the victims, and the community can be hard and something you never really get used to. But one of the hardest things to see is an officer lose his or her life while trying to make this chaotic world just a little bit better...

For quite some time, methamphetamines have been the dominant drug in the world of illegal drugs in this area. For years the most common way to obtain the drug in the Midwest was to make it in your basement or garage. Over the last few years however, local “meth labs” have become almost non-existent because of the ease with which the drug can be purchased in large cities...

In the world of law enforcement, we hear a great deal about guns, tasers, pepper spray, vests and most recently body cameras. Law Enforcement officers carry a great deal of items on their vest and duty belt while on duty and each one has a purpose. Each one has been improved upon multiple times and are always being updated, except for one very important item that is used daily — handcuffs. Next to a deputy’s radio, they will use their handcuffs more than any other item on their duty belt...

Of all the different investigating techniques and technology available to law enforcement, I have always found DNA analysis to be the most interesting. There are more than 7 billion people in the world today, and each one has a unique strand of DNA that makes them who they are...

Most Wanted: an old method that still works today Most Wanted posters have been used for many years as a way of letting the public know the names of those wanted for committing criminal acts. These posters were often distributed by town marshals and sheriffs, and it was common for bounty hunters to make a living hunting down the wanted. ...

It can be a scary thing to have someone screaming for help over the phone to a dispatcher and not being able to get their location because the line disconnects or the person becomes unable to finish telling the dispatcher where they are. We once had multiple deputies driving up and down several county roads trying to locate a residence because the dispatchers were not able to get the entire address before the phone was ripped away from the person who was trying to place the 911 call. ...

When a large-scale emergency happens, everything can become extremely busy and at times, even chaotic. Everyone focuses on doing their job and through the chaos and commotion, take control of the scene. Listening to the police radio having non-stop traffic is something you get used to during these types of calls, but one thing you will never get used to is the radio communication turning silent during a large-scale incident...

On May 5, 1868, the Grand Army of the Republic established what was then called “Decoration Day” to honor the “war dead” by decorating their graves with flowers. There is no greater honor a country can give its heroes than to set aside a day to remember and honor them. We now call this day Memorial Day; and although it used to be observed on May 30 for those who died in the Civil War, we now observe it on the last Monday in May, decorating the graves of those who fought in any war...

This month, schools will be letting out for the summer and for most kids, the fun begins. Swimming, riding bikes, and all the other activities that come with a few months of freedom from school. I have mentioned before the increased danger of online perpetrators for children. ...

I had only been in office for about a week when a 40-year-old inmate told me he was going to “turn me in” for not letting him have two sandwiches for dinner. We explained to him that we did not have a menu and did not take dinner requests. Everyone was served the same food during each meal. He was true to his word and called his mother on me the next day. This was something I would soon find was a regular occurrence...

We are getting close to that time of year when many people will be graduating from high school or college, and making some very important choices that will dictate the direction their life will head. Change can be exciting, scary, and challenging, all at the same time. The best thing a child can have when making those decisions is the advice of a role model, a wise teacher, or a loving parent or family member...

When working in law enforcement, you are faced every day with situations that require a great deal of consideration before making a decision in whatever incident you may be dealing with at the time. One wrong decision can change everything, so you must train, and be ready to think about each action you make before you make it even though you often only have a split second to make that decision...

“Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” That is a phrase I heard many times growing up, but one that I like very much. In the law enforcement world, much of our work revolves around someone’s past. What is a suspect’s history, are they known to be violent, what is their method of committing certain crimes? When someone is sentenced through the courts for crimes, their past is taken into consideration when deciding judgement and almost everything you do from applying for a new job, to obtaining credit will be decided to some extent on your past.. ...

During the month of April, the Vernon County Sheriff's Office will be recognizing national tele-communicators week for our dispatchers in Vernon County. The job of dispatching is often overlooked and even taken for granted. When a person calls 911 they expect someone to answer and be ready to deal with their issue no matter what the circumstances. It can be easy to forget the person on the other end is a human being that can be affected by stress, emotions, and fatigue just like everyone else...

A young boy and his grandfather were sitting in a boat with their fishing poles, enjoying the early morning breeze when the young boy, breaking the silence, looked up at his grandfather and asked, "grandpa, am I going to change all the time like you did?"...

Deputies carry firearms to help protect the innocent from the worst dangers that can befall a citizen. Although their firearms are something we hope they never have to use, sometimes there is no choice. But part of training for any scenario also involves training for all options that could change the outcome of that scenario...

The sales team (deputies) have been doing a great job at marketing the services we offer here at the Vernon County Bed & Breakfast. Customer acquisition has been high and all our beds have been sold out, many by return customers. One such customer was obtained recently because a deputy, who had just looked through a list of wanted people, located a person with warrants by recognizing the mustache on the man's face as the same mustache in one of the photos of wanted people. ...

It was cold out when Bob and Dave thought it would be a good idea to stop at a house that looked like it might be an easy target to find some property to steal. It was very dark, so they decided to leave the headlights on to help light up house so they could see better. The house was a little harder to get into than they thought because the door was solid wood and not easy to kick in. But Bob and Dave were very determined, and a little high, so they would not give up...

Reports involving children being victimized through their phone, the internet, or even in person has had a slight increase over the past few months and although I have talked about this subject in the past, because of its importance, I feel we should go over it again. ...

We recently updated our website to include a mobile app version for smart phones. On this mobile app, you can easily look up our most wanted list, search for sex offenders in Vernon County, read press releases and send anonymous tips by simply typing a message and clicking send...

Last week detectives were working on a case that involved stolen property, and during the investigation they discovered a suspect in that case was staying at a house with another person who also had warrants. The Detectives decided to try an old technique called "knock and talk" at the house...

January of this year has turned out to be a busy month for the Vernon County Jail. With a new housing contract between the city of Springfield and Vernon County, we have had a steady stream of paying inmates being booked in and out daily. Although we house for eight other agencies, Springfield is the only one that is bringing inmates on a daily basis to our fine bed and breakfast...

If the Sheriff's Office were a "business" then it would be safe to say business is booming. With the holiday season just behind us, we have seen an increase over the past week in thefts, pursuits, and domestic violence calls. Because of the nature of out-of-county housing and the income that it generates in our jail, sometimes it feels more like we're running a business then a regular jail...

We have given tips, advice and "what-not-to-do's" to some of our regular customers, but with some recent incidents taking place, I think we also need to cover some basic physics, and laws of nature, and maybe laws of the jail too. So, let's cover some fun facts!...

I was passing by someone in Wal-Mart when I noticed the person I was passing had been in the Vernon County Jail many times. Most of the time, this type of encounter does not lead to a pleasant conversation or a friendly smile; but in this case, the gentlemen asked how I was doing and then began to tell me about his new job, and his efforts of getting his life back on track.He also asked me to thank the jail staff, and the deputies he had dealt with in the past for helping him...

In a job that requires you to enforce laws, make arrests, and split second decisions it is somewhat expected that you will get complaints at some point from someone, be it the person that was arrested, the person who thought you should have arrested someone else, or the guy who does not like it that you broke his front door serving the search warrant that resulted in a loss of all his drugs and stolen stuff...

I have had a lot of questions about the new CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon) laws that are soon to take effect. This has been covered several times in the paper and radio, but I wanted to take the time and cover it again for those who may have missed any of the information before. There are two dates of importance within the new law (Senate Bill 656), but there are some things I would like to point out before going into the dates and what changes they bring...

Radio communications have been around for a long time now, and each year they continue to improve. In the early days of law enforcement, patrol cars did not have radios in them at all, and when they were first installed, they were only one way radios. ...

In this line of work, we often have people hide from us, and some of them are very good at hiding because they have done it for so long. But every now and then we find someone who is not so good at hiding and all we can speculate is maybe they smoked a little too much crystal meth...

"You can't outrun paper." That is a common phrase we tell people after being on the run and then getting arrested. Some people just like to run and in their mind they have nothing to lose. Over the last few weeks, we have seen person after person making bad decisions and those bad decisions end up costing them in the long run...

When the riots started in Ferguson, Mo., little information had been officially released from the police and the stories that were being told by different "witnesses" and speculators provided the only information for the media to release. By the time the facts did start to come out, buildings had been burned, reputations had been ruined, and people had been hurt...

There has been long debate on how the criminal justice system should deal with juvenile offenders when it comes to rehabilitation compared to punishment. We are one of the few countries in the world which certifies 13- and 14-year-old children as adults and tries them in adult court...

If you are trying to arrest a wanted fugitive, they will not always open the door just because you have a gun and badge. What will they open the door for? Pizza! We often receive tips letting us know where people are or where they may be hanging out. ...

With the conclusion of this week brings a new week with big changes for many young people: the start of school. Although it is a normal routine for most parents and something they know from experience will bring certain outcomes in their child's life, for a small child the start of school can be a very dramatic change...

I like to tell a few funny stories from time to time about how brilliant our aspiring criminals can be. I thought I had covered some of the following issues, but apparently we need to cover some of them once again. I did not think it was a secret that phone lines in the jail were recorded. So if there is something confusing about that let me elaborate on it. WE LISTEN TO THOSE RECORDINGS!...

The past few months have again been filled with news stories of riots, protests against police brutality, and sadly the murders of multiple police officers from around the country. With constant alerts from state and federal agencies warning law enforcement officers to be more observant and watch for signs of possible ambushes, it can make the job even more stressful than it already is for so many people in this field...

We train regularly for all types of situations in law enforcement; some are fun and interesting, and some are tedious and downright boring. But they say the next best thing to training is doing the job itself with your own two hands. Over the past few months our hard working customers (criminals) have been providing us with lots of hands on training. ...

This summer we have a lot of training scheduled for the staff at the Sheriff's Office that will be very beneficial to the office overall. This year we put a lot of focus on finding programs that could be paid for with grants. Last month one of our deputies was accepted into the DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) program and we were able to get the training, air fare, and lodging all covered through a grant. ...

We recently served another search warrant at a home looking for drugs, and like many other times, we found there were children living in the home. This was one of the worst homes I had been inside because of the condition in which the occupants were living. When someone brings drugs into a home, they slowly become indifferent to their lifestyle, and the one that suffers the most is the child...

The idea of growing wise is that you always learn as you get older. You learn by making mistakes, you learn from other people's mistakes, you learn from education, and you learn from hands on experience. The upstanding citizens in our criminal world have missed one of the switches to a lightbulb and unfortunately they appear to be going in the wrong direction, getting dumber and dumber instead of smarter and smarter. So here is the third installment in the future book "Crime for Dummies."...

I have heard more comments in the past few days that people "don't need assault rifles" than I have heard in the last several years combined! I still find it puzzling that someone can kill that many people and everyone jumps straight to attacking guns...

I was contacted a while back about some suspicious activity, and asked to look into it. After doing a little checking, I could not find much, so I thought I would talk to the person who reported it and see if I could get a few more details about the case...

They say that just when you think it can't get any better it does, right? Well they should also say just when you think they can't get any dumber, they do! So now I will have to write the next chapter in my future book "Crime for Dummies." I have given tips before in an attempt to keep some of our customers out of trouble, but they just find new ways to show us they will not be stopped. ...

"Bad seed is a robbery of the worst kind: for your pocket-book not only suffers by it, but your preparations are lost and a season passes away unimproved." -- George Washington I have decided that I have an identity problem. I have been living my entire life thinking I was an average American person, but have recently searched my inner self and discovered that I identify better as a rich person. ...

By the end of this month, the Sheriff's Office will be taking over dispatch services for the county and offering contracting services to other agencies within the county, such as the city of Nevada and the Vernon County Ambulance District. I have had a lot of questions from people about why this change was needed and if the community will see any effects from it...

This week a group of detention officers will complete the first in-house jail academy hosted by the Sheriff's Office. In the past, new detention officers started their training on their first day of the job and were assigned to a training officer. A few weeks ago, four people started at the Sheriff's Office; but unlike before, their first few weeks of training was a mixture of classroom and hands-on training giving them the ability to hear from different instructors on different subjects throughout the training cycle. ...

The look of regret as someone is being placed in handcuffs is a look that you see a lot and after some time, you began to recognize this look very easily. People make mistakes and that is always going to happen. A bad choice does not make a bad person, and believe it or not, that look of regret they have in their eyes is a good sign and it means there is still hope for that offender to become someone who would not make the same choices again...

Over the last year we have seen a dramatic increase in our warrant arrests. We started the Vernon County Fugitive Task Force to make sure those who commit crimes in Vernon County appear in court and face their charges. The idea was to designate some law enforcers officers that can spend time each week focusing on those who are on the most wanted list and by also releasing the information to the public so they can assist the team by sending in tips...

"Deadbeat" (Merriam Webster's Dictionary) A lazy person: a person who does not work; a person who does not pay money that is owed After dealing with so many people who make a living selling illegal drugs and stealing other people's things, I have decided that some of these people do not resort to this because they cannot get a job, but because they think they can make more money than the old fashion way, hard work. In other words, they think this is a better job...

Last week deputies were involved in several pursuits that all ended with someone going to jail. A vehicle pursuit causes an increased risk of danger to the deputy, the public, and to the person who is running. Last week a truck failed to stop for a deputy and began to run; and after the truck almost ran another vehicle off the road, the deputy terminated the pursuit for safety reasons. ...

This past Tuesday was the filing deadline for elected offices and with no one else filing for the office of sheriff, it appears I will have the opportunity to serve another term as Vernon County Sheriff. Working for the people of Vernon County has taught me a lot and there is nothing else I would rather do! Over the years there have been many opportunities for us to make improvements within the office, and I have had a chance to meet a lot of great people...

This past week a broken water line left the city with little to no water for part of a night. It was around 1:30 in the morning when I got a phone call from the jail that two of the POD's inside the jail were starting to riot because we "shut the water off." The jail staff tried explaining that most of the city was without water and no one "shut off the water" but they were being too loud to even listen...

A few weeks ago I talked about the strange regularity we find when it comes to criminals giving us the same answers for the same crimes. Almost like they learn from the same "teacher." In the law enforcement world, you could say we do not deal with the brightest of the bunch and it always surprises me what they are willing to do, in many cases do, without thinking. ...

"The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism.... It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn." -- George Washington...

I have said before that one of our biggest assets when it comes to the work we do at the Sheriff's Office is the citizens. I heard a story a long time ago from a retired detective who told me he worked a homicide case shortly after he became a detective. He said he showed up and started looking over the crime scene and spent hours looking at video, pulling finger prints, and any other evidence they could find...

It has been more than a year since we started our body camera program for deputies, and so far the program has been a great success. We had purchased entry level body cameras to pilot the program and see how hard it would be to keep up with data storage and how practical it would be for the deputies to wear and operate them while trying to perform their other tasks...

I have been doing a lot of speaking to groups about the need to carry a concealed weapon and the benefits of obtaining a CCW permit. There are many different reasons to carry a weapon for self-defense, and most people I talk to have their own personal reason from events in their life that led them to the decision to carry a weapon...

On Feb. 10, 2016, two deputies with the Hartford County Sheriff's Office in Maryland were dispatched to a restaurant to deal with a subject. Senior Deputy Patrick Dailey found the subject at a table and sat down beside him and tried to talk to him. Without warning the suspect pulled out a gun and shot Deputy Daily in the head. As the man ran out of the restaurant, he came into contact with Senior Deputy Mark Logsdon and shot him...

I was speaking to a group of people recently and noticed that I have developed a habit of saying "this is supposed to be common sense" after explaining a law. I realized that over time, I have more and more begun to assume that "common sense" does not exist. ...

I wrote last week about the need for our department to get more involved with physical fitness and programs that may be coming available to help with that. We have also been looking at other aspects of the job that can cause stress, depression and other problems outside of work. Statistics show that divorce, suicide, and depression greatly increase when a person enters the world of law enforcement...

When I was a teenager, I can remember eating an entire large pizza, or two double cheeseburgers for lunch and still being hungry for supper. When you are that young, you just assume you will be healthy forever. By the time I was 20, I could still eat the same amount but would notice some weight gain and a drop in energy. Still, all it would take is skipping a few meals and going for a jog and I would be right back where I wanted to be...

There is a lot that goes on at the Sheriff's Office during the first month of the year, including work on the budget. The budget process is always a challenge because we have to try and estimate what something will cost over the next year. On some items this is very easy, such as contracts with other vendors, medical, and software maintenance and upgrades because we can negotiate with vendors, and in the end have a set price for the year...

We recently made some arrests for burglary when a deputy caught some people at a house that did not belong to them. He also found property in their vehicle that came out of the house. One of the people arrested made a comment that is starting to become somewhat regular when we catch people in this type of crime. They said they were "pilfering."...

Someone once said, "There comes a time in every gentleman's life when he starts to value time -- he values it so much, in fact, that he wants to wear it as a gorgeous piece on his wrist." I have always had a small fascination with mechanical watches. ...

Last week I announced that the Sheriff's Office was lowering its fees for processing the Concealed Carry Weapons Permit from $100 to $65 to help encourage law abiding citizens to obtain their permits. We received a great deal of positive feedback from the public, but we also had a large number of calls the following week with questions about the process of gaining the CCW permit. ...

National headlines have continued to cover stories involving law enforcement related events from around the country. President Obama has recently issued an executive order to terminate the 1033 program in response to some of these events from around the country. Although there were some pieces of military equipment available through this program that most law enforcement agencies did not need, there were many other items available that were very beneficial to local agencies...

In the past, I have quoted Henry Ford as saying, "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success." Last Monday two people ran on foot after a vehicle pursuit, and at the time information was received that one of the suspects may be armed. ...

I remember one of the first drug cases I worked after becoming a police officer. It started out as a well-being check on a small child and when I arrived at the home, I found the child smelling like he had not had a bath in a long time and playing in a backyard covered in dirt. ...

Firearms have been a hot topic in the news in recent weeks because of more shootings, and this past week another school attack took place when a student from the University of California, Merced, stabbed several people with a hunting knife before being shot by police. ...

Because of the violence that has broken out during the riots in St. Louis, Baltimore, New York, and other cities around the country, a lot of attention has been placed on law enforcement. Members of law enforcement all over the country have paid the ultimate price while protecting those they serve, but there are other members in the emergency response field that are often overlooked. ...

Last week the Vernon County Sheriff's Office took part in a large active shooter training event held in Nevada. The training was very beneficial not only to first responders, but also to the teachers and school officials. While reading an online article about the event, I noticed someone had left a comment that the Sheriff's Office was using "IFAK's" and was attempting to be like the military. ...

The first job I had growing up was mowing cemeteries throughout Vernon County with my grandpa and grandma. Marvin Chapple, Horton, Metz, and Rinehart cemeteries were just some of the ones we mowed. I still remember being amazed at how long we used some of the mowers. ...

Last week deputies responded to a call of an injured person in a field near a vehicle. Initially it was thought it may be some type of vehicle accident. After deputies arrived on scene, they called for a detective and it was reported the injured person had a missing finger and severe cuts to the left arm and leg. ...

Drugs have always been around; and there has always been, and probably always will be, some drugs that are controversial with how they can be used. The battle against illegal drugs is nothing new. One of the most famous time periods that stand out when it comes to the government taking a stance against drugs was in July of 1971, when President Nixon declared a "war on drugs."...

I have talked before about the testing and interviewing process we use for new applicants, as well as the regular evaluation of those processes, so we can continually update and add to them. Our hope with this process is to find the most qualified applicants and help match the right person with the right job...

Domestic calls, thefts, burglaries, and vehicle accidents are all common calls deputies respond to during their shifts, but there is another type of call that is becoming more and more common, and that is calls of suicidal subjects. Although we take these types of calls frequently, the amount of calls deputies have been responding to over the past few weeks has become alarming. These calls often come from a loved one or a friend, and in many cases even the person who is needing the help...

This is a portion of a story from March 2001. I had forgotten that the 54 Cafe was closed for a period of time. About a month ago (February 2001), Mike Farran was telling me about the new deli he and his wife Shirley, were going to open. It will be located across the street from H&R Block on East Walnut. In the course of our discussion, we began to talk about food items, and in particular the subject of fried chicken...

Last week the shooting and death of two reporters in Virginia has added more fuel to the gun debate with some national leaders calling for stricter gun control laws in the name of safety. For many years there have been activists on both sides of this debate; but each time there is a shooting that gains national attention, the issue of gun control is moved once more into the cross hairs of state and federal law makers. ...

On April 20, 1999, 12 students and one teacher were killed by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold who were both seniors at Columbine High School, located in an unincorporated area of Jefferson County, Colo. Most people have heard about the devastating shooting and remember seeing it on the news...

It has been said that you learn more by the age of 5 than you will the rest of your life. I think learning should be a process that we always strive for without end, no matter the age. One of the learning periods throughout our life is one that will be starting this month for many young people. ...

In recent years, the art of investigations has changed dramatically, and only some of this is due to case law and federal and state laws that have been changed or revised. To a greater extent, there has been a new focus on specialized skills like crime scene investigation, interview and interrogation, financial investigation and the list goes on and on. ...

I often find myself reading about World War II more often than any other period in history. I also find the documentaries on the History Channel very interesting and think there is a great deal that can be learned from that time period. Whenever you talk to someone who has served in the military and been overseas fighting for our freedoms, there is something about them that stands out from everyone else. ...

A few weeks ago I was headed to a meeting when I got behind a car that was swerving back and forth across its lane. It was early in the morning and I was thinking surely someone is not drunk already! After the car almost ran into the curb as it went around a curve, I decided to make a traffic stop and see what was going on. ...

Taser has become the icon of less lethal weapons and has begun to phase out pepper spray over the last several years. Pepper spray, also known as OC Spray, or Capsicum Spray has been used for a long time. The Aztecs, Mayan Indians, ancient Chinese, and Japanese were all using the effects of peppers as a weapon long before it was commercialized. ...

This year members of the Sheriff's Office have attended some great training. Our goal over the last couple of years has been not only to send everyone to needed training, but to also send as many people as possible to instructor schools for various types of training so that we have as many instructors right here at the Sheriff's Office as possible. This will not only help with training expenses, but also make sure we can provide the training whenever it is needed...

This is the time of year when people will be taking vacation, heading to the lake, or taking a weekend camping trip. This is also a time of the year when burglaries begin to rise, and some of the reason is because of the unoccupied homes. There are several things that can be done to help secure a house while you are away...

Our pledge of allegiance contains the phrase, "One Nation under GOD with liberty and justice for all." Our money contains the phrase, "IN GOD WE TRUST" and our Declaration of Independence contains the phrase, "the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's GOD entitle them."...

A while back we started looking into GPS tracking systems for our patrol cars. The units are being installed in the cars this week and system checks have been performed over the last few days to test the system and make sure it is functioning properly. ...

This past week has been a busy week at the Sheriff's Office! Besides the "normal" day-to-day activity by deputies, jail staff, investigators, and administrators, we have taken back the operation of the kitchen that cooks the nearly 300 meals per day for inmates in our jail. ...

A key component to having a good employee is, of course, having a good selection process during interviews to find the most qualified person for the job. Because of the importance of the interview and selection process, each year we review everything from our application, background packet, interview boards, written tests, physical tests, and even the first week of administrative training that employees go through...

This Monday we will observe Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor those who gave their lives while serving their country in the armed forces. As I mentioned the last time I wrote about this day, it was originally known as Decoration Day after the Civil War to recognize and honor those killed in the Confederate and Union Armies. ...

This past week we observed National Police Officer week. I think, to many people, this year felt it would be a little different because of all the controversial issues from around the nation involving police. National Peace Officers Memorial Day was declared to be May 15, by President Kennedy in 1962; and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, was established as National Police Officer week by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962...

It was just a few weeks ago that I mentioned the disgraceful acts of some college students at the University of California, Irvine, voting to remove the American Flag from an "inclusive" space on campus. If that was not insulting enough to all Americans, a man by the name of Eric Sheppard has now started a Facebook challenge "stomp on U.S. ...

Although it has been a little while, I can still remember the first day I walked into the classroom at the MSSU Police Academy. Determined this was what I wanted to do, I still had last minute doubts as one of the instructors came into the room for the first time, did role call and told us to get up because we were going for a run before we did anything else. ...

\On July 15, 1912, a notorious gambler in New York City by the name of Herman Rosenthal walked out of the Metropole Café on West 43rd street and was shot to death by several men waiting just outside. This murder would later be referred to by some as the "trial of the century" and resulted in the trial, conviction, and execution of a New York Police Lieutenant by the name of Charles Becker, for his role in the death of Rosenthal. ...

In 1950, the image of a police officer could easily be a little like Andy Griffith or Barney Fife, slowly driving down the street with his arm hanging out the window, smiling and waving at each person he passed. His patrol car would have one large red light in the center of the top and a single star on the door of the car. ...

During the police academy you spend months learning about criminal law and the elements that are needed to meet different statutes under Missouri Law. Depending on the crime, there are different factors that need to be present. For example, in the case of a burglary a person must enter a building with the intent to commit a crime. ...

I have realized over time that a lot of people think cops wear "bullet proof" vests. I had someone ask me a while back after a law enforcement officer had been shot and killed why he was not wearing his vest? Because if he was, he most certainly would have survived, right?...

A few years ago I was able to hear Lt. Col. Dave Grossman speak at a seminar. He spoke a great deal about sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs. I had heard of cops being referred to as sheepdogs before, back when I was in the police academy. It was there that I began to understand the attitude that a law enforcement officer must have to perform the duties entrusted to him and the attitude that it takes to perform this job...

It was several years ago when I pulled up to the scene of a smashed and twisted up truck on the side of the road after getting reports of a vehicle that was swerving all over the highway. There was still smoke coming from the engine and there were parts of the truck scattered up and down the road. ...

I recently read a news article about students at the University of California, Irvine, voting to remove the American flag from an "inclusive" space on campus; the students voted on a bill that said the American flag endorses American superiority and, "Has been flown in instances of colonialism and imperialism."...

You gave on the way a pleasant smile, and thought no more about it. It cheered a life that had been dark the while, which might have been wrecked without it. And so for that smile that was given there, you'll have a reward sometime-somewhere. You spoke one day a cheering work, and passed to other duties...

Awhile back someone asked me what they needed to start studying if they wanted to get into law enforcement someday. I named off a few of the obvious subjects, criminal law, civil law, the Constitution, but was quick to also add, English, grammar, and math to the list. I then explained how much writing a law enforcement officer does, and how much of our attention is placed on some type of numbers every day...

"For more than half a century, during which kingdoms and empires have fallen, this Union has stood unshaken. The patriots who formed it have long since descended to the grave; yet still it remains, the proudest monument to their memory. . ." Those words were spoken by Zachary Taylor (1849--1850), the 12th president of our United States. Monday is President's Day and I think this is a day that is widely overlooked by many, considering how important it really is...

I was cleaning out a file cabinet this week and found an old property deed that belonged to my wife's grandparents. This one looked a little older than any I had seen before, so I started looking through it and noticed the dates were starting back in the late 1800s. ...

I have talked a lot about the effects drugs can have on people, and we see the results of what they can do every day. Methamphetamines, marijuana, cocaine, and heroin are some of the most popular drugs that people hear about and know is a problem on our streets. But there is another group of drugs that have just as much of an effect on our streets and can cause the same problems as the others do, these are prescription drugs...

This week as I was heading to a meeting, I heard someone calling my name. I turned to see who it was and recognized the person walking up to me as someone who has been in and out of our jail many times. This, however, was the first time I had seen this person outside of jail and with a smile on her face. ...

Last year the Sheriff's Office formed the Special Response Team (S.R.T); a team that received advanced tactical training and practiced on responding to armed suspects, hostage situations, and serving high risk warrants. The formation of this team had one main purpose, to better protect life during life threating events...

As I was watching the news on the first day of 2015, I saw yet another story of a shooting involving police and the conflicting views from both sides. Arguments were about what the officer did right, as well as what he did wrong. As I was listening to the different "experts" that presented arguments from both sides, I noticed that both people were referring to the cops as "they" and the public as "we." Although the divide between law enforcement officers and the public has been more strained throughout the country since the incidents in Ferguson, it was not until that moment that I realized the problem is not just an opinion on police tactics, the use of force, or the outcome of confrontations being used by law enforcement; instead it is the perception that some members of the public and the police have on who members of law enforcement are.. ...

During the month of December, we have conducted several interviews for internal job openings that include jail administrator, detective, patrol sergeant, and drug task force agent for the Community Narcotics Enforcement Team. We have also conducted a couple of interviews for detention officers. Each time we schedule a testing date, we re-evaluate our interview process and see if there is any way we can improve it...

In the law enforcement world, like anywhere, we see many changes in the methods used, the equipment available, and the people who serve. When most people think of a detective, there is often a wide range of views on what they think that job entails. ...

Flossie burst through my back door the other day. She grabbed a coffee cup before she took off her coat. I sensed she was upset over some major issue. "I have cake," I offered. After cutting her some cake, filling both of our cups with hot coffee, and giving her several packs of artificial sweetener and creamer; we both sat down on the couch...

It was late in the night, cold and windy; her car would not start, and there was no one around to help. Her phone was not getting a signal, and she was not sure she could walk the distance to the nearest phone in this weather to call for help. Sitting inside the car and waiting for help out here would not do much good, and even if someone did come along, in this part of the county a passerby may bring more danger than help...

It was alarming and disturbing to see all the violence that broke out all over the country Monday night after the grand jury announcement in Ferguson. Any channel you turned to was showing people from all around the country giving their opinion and discussing the facts that were released that night...

I have said many times that we will train for the worst as we hope for the best, and much of that training unfortunately has been put to use too many times in such a short period. Over the last year we have made numerous drug busts only to see someone else take the place of selling deadly drugs on the streets again. ...

Last week I attended the funeral of a deputy sheriff who was shot and killed while involved in a pursuit. Hundreds of fellow officers, deputies, rangers, and agents from just about every agency you can think of arrived in full uniform with looks on their faces that would appear they had just lost someone they knew very well...

A few weeks ago, I was walking through the jail and, as I walked by someone in the booking room, I heard him say, "Hey I work for the FBI and I need to talk to you." I have become used to the fact that any time I try and walk through the jail, just about every inmate wants to talk about something and try to get my attention, so I have to be very selective on how much time I spend talking to people in the jail or I will be back there all day...

Before making any comments about Amendment Number 2, which will appear on the ballot next week, I would like to mention that I think we should be very careful anytime an amendment is being proposed that would change our state constitution. The point of a constitution is to be something that is solid and extremely hard to change. It is the standard that guides our legislators on laws they can and cannot pass for citizens to follow...

When taking office as a sheriff, you find one of the most time consuming parts of the job is running the jail. Although a jail administrator is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the jail, I find that I still spend much of my time dealing with issues that come up in the jail. Over the last year and a half I have had many family members and friends of people in custody contact me, concerned about various things they hear from people who are in the jail...

"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." -Vincent Van Gogh. We recently began investigating a difficult case that was going to require a lot of manpower and resourses. When I placed a call requesting the Southwest Missouri Major Case Squad be activated, I was more than surprised at the response I received! There were more than a dozen investigators from five other law enforcement agencies at the Sheriff's Office within an hour ready to help...

Since the events of Ferguson have become a regular news topic, it seems one of the most popular discussions is the use of tactics and equipment by law enforcement. States are starting to consider laws requiring all police to wear body cameras, and many people are calling for police to stop using any military equipment they have received from the government...

tEarly in the year, we saw changes to the CCW laws and how the permits are issued. The process of obtaining a permit was made a little easier because the permit is now issued from the Sheriff's Office and also became valid for five years before needing to be renewed...

Almost all the road deputies and the investigators have been through some type of evidence processing and collection training over this last year. This was done in an effort to use every possible way we could to identify suspects when processing a crime scene...

Last weekend I was invited to attend a Sheriff's Border Summit for a security briefing on the Mexican border and how it is affecting every county around the nation. Sheriffs from all over the country attended the briefing, which included speakers who work for various federal, state, and county agencies relating to border security, as well as drug and human trafficking issues...

When hiring deputies at the Sheriff's Office, there are certain things we look for during the interview process. Beside the normal qualifications and background checks they must pass, we also try to determine the real reason the applicant got into law enforcement and what their motives are for wanting to be in this career...

I have said before that drugs and stolen property often go together, and each time we serve warrants, or solve cases, that is proven over and over again to be true. Recently, we have investigated a case that involved multiple suspects at different locations throughout the county. This investigation yielded not only one of the largest seizures of crystal meth in the county's history, but also one of the largest recoveries of stolen firearms...

George Washington said, "to be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace." With the trials and dangers that Washington and the rest of our founding fathers faced in their day, this was an extremely important philosophy. I think that this idea has the same importance today as it did back then, but I also think we can put that type of thinking to more than just the idea of war...

We have talked before about some of the things that can help deter would-be burglars and thieves, but when there is a theft, there are some things that can greatly help law enforcement when it comes to tracking down these thieves and finding the stolen property...

Last week I had someone bring me a check they got in the mail. This person believed the check to be suspicious because it came with a letter saying they had "won" the money and all they needed to do was deposit the check in the bank and then call to "activate" the check. Sounds too good to be true, right?...

When you work the night shift, you get to know the perfect places to sit and watch; maybe a side road where you can see a busy intersection, or an alley where you can see down a street full of houses or commercial buildings, or an area of the county where there has been suspicious activity reported...

This last week I once again attended the summer Missouri Sheriff's Conference. This conference is held in a different city each year, and this year it took place in St. Charles, Mo. This is the second summer conference I have attended, and again, it was full of good training and a chance to meet and visit with other Sheriffs from around the state...

It was after midnight when an officer driving down the road noticed the car behind him was flashing its lights on and off. He pulled over to see what the driver behind him needed, and was greeted by the driver as he pulled up beside him. "Excuse me, officer," said a man through the window of the car...

I was asked by someone a few weeks ago how they could feel safe in their home when the people living right next door to them owned guns. This person had just learned that their neighbor had purchased a firearm for home protection. I was confused for during the first part of the conversation because I was assuming the neighbors must be some kind of troublemakers or doing something illegal if the person I was talking to was so upset about it. ...

This week members of the Sheriff's Office helped work in the Vernon County Youth Fair Diner. We posted a list where employees could sign up if they wanted to help, and I was very pleased at the amount of people that volunteered to help. When conducting interviews for new employees, I ask why they want to be in law enforcement...

In the past, I have talked about the Second and Fourth Amendments, had deputies read them and had training on why it is so important those amendments to the Constitution are upheld. The next constitutional amendment deputies will receive training on is the First Amendment. ...

Last week a team of deputies returned home after attending Basic SWAT camp, hosted and taught by the Joplin Police Department. They trained with other members from agencies like the Web City Police Department, Jasper County Sheriff's Office SWAT, and other agencies from around Missouri...

This month we have been doing a little research on the history of the Vernon County Sheriff's Office as part of a project the Missouri Sheriff's Association is undertaking. They plan to print a book about the history of Missouri sheriffs and want information submitted from each county...

This week we had an incident where a deputy was in danger at a call and needed assistance. We get used to deputies asking for assistance on calls every day, and the nearest deputy always responds from wherever he is. These calls, even though life threatening and dangerous, could be called "normal" because of how often backup is called. ...

It is a common thing for children to be fascinated by some of the things a deputy carries on his or her belt, and most kids do not hesitate to ask what something is. Last week, a small child that was in the office asked me why the deputies were wearing such funny looking hats. The deputy being scrutinized by the small child was wearing his campaign hat...

If you sit on a hill and watch the darkness fade as the sun comes over the horizon, casting just enough light, you can see a beautiful countryside at the break of dawn. So quiet that you can only hear the soft blowing wind as it gently rustles the trees, or the sound of water as it flows through the stream. In a moment like this, one can truly appreciate the beauty and greatness of the country we live in...

This week the Vernon County Sheriff's Office hosted bomb and explosive recognition training for Vernon County Deputies and members of surrounding law enforcement agencies. The training was presented by the Missouri State Highway Patrol bomb squad. This training helps prepare officers on how to recognize certain types of explosives and what action should be taken when they are found. ...

This month a Vernon County Deputy will undergo K-9 handler training with the new K-9, Lucy, a yellow lab the Sheriff's Office received this month. Lucy was trained by a professional K-9 trainer and received a national certification for narcotics detection in methamphetamine, marijuana, heroin and cocaine...

A few weeks ago I talked about the "cop attitude" that we often find in law enforcement and the difference in what the law enforcement officer is trying to accomplish by being cop. There is no shortage of stories of rude, bossy, overly suspicious, and arrogant cops, so what is the image a cop should have? When a deputy puts on a uniform every day, what causes them to have the attitude they have?...

They say you should not judge a book by its cover. Although this is true, a law enforcement officer's appearance is what will form a citizen's first impression. This first impression affects how the citizen will respond to the officer when he shows up at a call. This could change the entire direction of how that call will go!...

Years ago I bought a box full of books at an auction for $3. Not too many people seemed to be interested in some old books. One of the books I found in the box was an 1882 household addition of the Poetical Works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The old original leather-bound book was very stiff and worn, some of the pages had come loose from the binding and yellowed over time...

There is always someone out there looking for a new way to take your money. Over the last couple of months, money scams have increased; and while most people are recognizing these scams before it is too late, some are finding out the hard way. Here are some of what the most recent scams have included: being notified from a place claiming to be publishers clearing house letting you know you have just won $25,000! All you have to do is pay the fees and taxes up front in the amount of $2,500 and then you will get your check in the mail. ...

When do you have the right to remain silent? "You have the right to remain silent, anything you say or do can and will be used against you in a court of law." This is the line you hear on TV any time someone is getting arrested. This sentence is referred to as the Miranda rights. ...

Shortly after I became a police officer, I was working a late shift and was walking down the business district checking doors when I noticed a man staggering out of the bar towards his truck. The gentlemen was staggering and walking very slow, using his arms to balance himself...

Marijuana is an extremely controversial subject just about anywhere in the United States. Medical marijuana is now legal in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Of those states, Washington and Colorado have legalized marijuana for recreational use...

Training must become instinct for life and death choices. Deputies have attended a lot of training over the last two months! The Sheriff's Office hosted a Taser Instructor training class that brought members of law enforcement from Arkansas, Kansas, Iowa, and all over Missouri. This class was to teach instructors to be able to certify officers in their own agencies to be able to carry and use the Taser. Three people from the Sheriff's Office became Taser Instructors at this class...

With the weather warming up, the Sheriff's Office has started receiving an increase in theft reports involving anything from scrap metal to vehicles and trailers -- as of this week, even cattle. It never ceases to amaze me that someone could break into someone else's home, take cattle from their land, or take money through a stolen credit card or bank account number. They live with themselves every day, knowing they took something from someone who worked hard...

Every day, the Sheriff's Office investigates crimes committed against children. The jail houses are full of many people who have been convicted or are being charged with crimes that make you wonder how a human being could do some of the things they do...

Every day, new crimes are reported to law enforcement agencies like the Sheriff's Office. Some are cases that do not need investigating because there is enough evidence to be collected by the responding deputy, or in some cases, the incident is ongoing when the deputy arrives and the deputy witnesses some of the facts, personally...

Drugs and stealing are what the sheriff's office spends a big portion of its time and resources investigating. But there is another area the sheriff's office also sees a lot of calls for, and that is domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault...

A few weeks ago I talked about the Fourth Amendment and the rights it provides to American citizens. The following week, I received a letter from a Nevada resident talking about his concerns with executive orders and what my position would be if such an order ever conflicted with the Fourth Amendment. I enjoy letters from citizens in the county, especially on topics like these!...

In November of last year the Vernon County Sheriff's Office signed a contract with Greene County in an attempt to bring additional revenue into Vernon County. With the increased population in the jail additional staff was required, and this month a full-time transportation position was added to the Sheriff's Office...

This year has taken off in a hurry and just like last year, things are moving fast! This month I attended meetings with the C-Net Drug Task Force, the Vernon County Domestic Violence Task Force, the Vernon County Chaplains, business owners from around the county, and of course the Vernon County Commission...

In today's world, a road deputy's office is in his patrol car. They patrol the streets, the neighborhoods, and respond to calls all from their patrol vehicle. Calls are dispatched and responded to faster now than before, and a single patrol officer can respond to more calls over a larger area than ever before...

Throughout this last year we have held a lot of training, and every time we train I say the same thing: train for the worst and hope for the best. This week I was on my way to a meeting with the commissioners when I was notified that deputies were responding to a residence on the east side of the county where a suicidal subject had weapons and had barricaded himself inside the residence while the rest of the family was out in the cold, afraid to enter...

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and affects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated. And no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause supported by oath or affirmation and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized."...

"I believe that we are solely responsible for our choices, and we have to accept the consequences of every deed, word, and thought throughout our lifetime." -- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross While some people make New Year's resolutions and take the opportunity to make the upcoming year better than the last, some people make the decision to drink and drive and often change someone else's life forever...