Working together to serve the public

In 1898, James Cash Penney began working for a small chain of stores in the western United States called the Golden Rule stores. In 1902, owners Guy Johnson and Thomas Callahan, impressed by his work ethic and salesmanship, offered him one-third partnership in a new store he would open. Penney invested $2,000 and moved to Kemmer, Wyo., to open a store there. He participated in opening two more stores, and when Callahan and Johnson dissolved their partnership in 1907, he purchased full interest in all three stores.

By 1912, there were 34 stores in the Rocky Mountain states. In 1913, he moved the company to the Kearns Building in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. The company was incorporated under the new name, J. C. Penney Company. In 1916, he began to expand the chain east of the Mississippi and during the 1920s, the Penney stores expanded nationwide, with 120 stores in 1920 (mostly still in the west). By 1924, Penney's reported income of more than $1 million annually.

Every day at the Sheriff's Office brings new challenges, and each day I am reminded how much the staff at the Vernon County Sheriff's Office accomplish!

We have people who care about their jobs and the people we work for, the citizens of Vernon County. There are people with all types of backgrounds and training in the Sheriff's Office, and some of these people are new to the Sheriff's Office here in Vernon County and may be new faces to many of you in the community.

The Patrol Division is directed by Lieutenant Jacob Crahan. Lt. Crahan started his career in the Jasper County Jail and over the years worked for the Sarcoxie Police Department, Bourbon County Sheriff's Office, and the Fort Scott Police Department before coming to Vernon County.

Deputy Tycher Blakely started with the Clever Police Department near Springfield, and was promoted to corporal after his first year of service. Deputy Blakely is also an active shooter instructor and is in charge of training here at Vernon County.

Vernon County's new bailiff, Deputy Even Roux, started with the Jasper Police Department and is a certified Glock armorer and holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.

Deputy Alex Stimson worked for Frontenac, Kan., before coming to the Sheriff's Office and is a certified field training officer. Deputy Stimson has also had training in Advanced Roadside Drug Interdiction.

James Cash Penney said, "Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together."

The staff at the Sheriff's Office is a mixture of new faces along with some veterans that have been serving with the Office. From the road, and the Courthouse, to the Jail, and Transportation Division, the 32 employees of the Vernon County Sheriff's Office work together with the same goal in mind; protect the innocent and serve the people.