SHANNON COUNTY, Mo. An injunction has been filed and Shannon County Sheriff Steven Hogan has responded after the Shannon County Commission’s recent announcement that the Shannon County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) will see almost its entire staff terminated.
Earlier this week, the Shannon County Commission sent out a letter that said the Commission had reviewed the 2025 SCSO’s budget, and the SCSO has used over 75% of the fiscal year budget as of June 11.
“Due to repeated warnings and continued budget mismanagement by the Sheriff, the County Commission had no choice but to intervene,” the Commission’s press release said. “Despite being alerted multiple times, the Sheriff has used 75% of its annual budget well before the end of the fiscal year, without implementing corrective measures.”
The Commission’s release says Hogan will continue to receive his full annual salary of $81,000, but there are no funds remaining for deputy salaries for the rest of the year.
Despite SCSO staffing cuts, the Shannon County Jail will still be in operation, along with dispatch services, the release notes.
On Tuesday, June 17, City of Eminence Mayor Margie Cleary announced that Eminence had entered into a contract with the Shannon County Sheriff’s Office to patrol not only Eminence, but to help provide coverage for the entire county.
Eminence’s announcement noted that Shannon County is one of the largest counties in Missouri, and one of the counties with the “least amount” of law enforcement coverage.
On Friday, Shannon County Sheriff Steven Hogan addressed the Commission’s recent actions, detailing what led up to the Commission’s decision from the SCSO’s perspective and how the fallout could impact the area.
“When I took office on January 1, 2025, the (SCSO) was in a compromised and inefficient state,” Hogan said. “This required immediate, all-hands-on-deck attention from both deputies and office staff.”
At that time, most of the previous SCSO personnel had already left their employment. This presented a significant challenge, but also an opportunity for necessary reform, Hogan said.
“I moved quickly to hire entirely new staff,” he said. “Many of my deputies made considerable financial sacrifices by moving from far locations within the state, as well as multiple deputies (relocating) from other states to serve our citizens and make Shannon County their home.”
Hogan said that prior to taking office, he met with the Commission, and they approved a total of five deputies, along with Hogan, to serve the county.
Additionally, in January, Hogan began building partnerships with Shannon County municipalities to increase deputy manpower. Eminence paid for one deputy, along with an additional 30-hour-per-week deputy. The City of Birch Tree paid for one deputy, and most recently, the City of Summersville will pay for one deputy, effective July 1.
Hogan said there were challenges inherited from the previous SCSO administration, including substantial amounts of unpaid bills and unsafe, unreliable vehicles.
“Since taking office, we have acquired six safe and reliable vehicles none of which came out of the Sheriff’s Office budget or general revenue,” Hogan said. “The SCSO needed uniforms for all staff that cost $26,442.53. This was uniforms alone. The equipment you see attached to my deputies are personally owned. The average on the low end to uniform and equip a deputy is $5,700 and on the high end is $12,000 (or more). We have deputies working the streets without portable radios.”
Hogan said he had multiple meetings with the Commission and made multiple budgetary adjustments.
“Despite these efforts, instead of amending the Sheriff’s budget to account for revenue my office is generating, I was told by County Clerk Shelly Bland that amending the budget is ‘too hard,’” Hogan said. “Another time I was told, ‘We really don’t know how to amend the budget.’ When I asked whether the Sheriff’s Office had ever gone over budget before, I was told it had and that it was simply expected.”
Hogan said that receiving requested budget information has been like “pulling eye teeth.”
“I received official letters from all three Commissioners terminating all my deputies and one office staff member, individually naming them,” Hogan said. “This leaves one Sheriff responsible for protecting and serving the second-largest county in the state, which also sees a significant tourist population. This is a public safety threat to our citizens. The Commission should expect lawsuits soon. The Sheriff is the only one that has the authority to hire and fire within the Office of Sheriff.”
Hogan said it’s not unusual for a newly established Sheriff’s Office to exceed its initial budget, as early projections are often based on educated estimates.
“After several Sunshine Law Violations committed by the commission, a temporary restraining order was filed on Friday, June 20, with the 37th Judicial Circuit to preserve staffing and keep the Sheriff’s Office operational,” Hogan said. “We are already running thin we need more help, not less.”
Hogan said the citizens of Shannon County deserve better, and so do his employees.
“I am committed to protecting the integrity of the Office of Sheriff and will continue to stand firmly for both the people I serve and those who serve alongside me,” he said. “If necessary, I will seek legal representation at the expense of the Shannon County Commission to ensure that this office and its mission are defended. I answer to the people, not the Commission.”
The temporary injunction was filed on Friday, June 20, with Shannon County Prosecuting Attorney William Seay listed as the plaintiff. The hearing is scheduled for court at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, June 23, in court.
According to Shannon County’s official government website, Beth (Stewart) Long serves as Shannon County’s Presiding Commissioner, Herman Kelly serves as Southern Commissioner, and Vester Crider serves as Northern Commissioner.
