In our community, the work of keeping Maries County safe is a shared responsibility. As your elected Sheriff, I want to take a moment to speak directly to you about the path forward.
When I took the oath of office, I did so with a commitment to a singular principle: “One Team, One Fight.” To me, this means that the Sheriff’s Office is not an isolated entity. We are part of a larger community fabric that includes our schools, our businesses, our local leaders, and every household across Maries County.
My administration is guided by the Latin phrase “Insiste Firmiter” or to stand firm. This is not about rigidity, but about standing firm in the belief that fairness, accountability, and the law apply to everyone equally. It is about protecting the integrity of our law enforcement systems and the safety of the deputies who serve this county every day. This was evident in our budgeting process this year. I worked hard to be under budget last year and advocated intensely for our budget to not be cut to the extent that it was this year because our staff deserves all we can give them and the community does not deserve “less” in what services from us they need. Make no mistake, law enforcement services are a need and never a want for any community. However, seeing the money was simply not there, we will continue to do our very best for you all with what we have.
As Sheriff, if I observe a practice that could be improved, even if it’s not how things have always been done, I see it as an opportunity for growth. Part of the foundation for this referring to the statutes to make sure we are following the letter of the law ourselves in law enforcement to lead the community by example. We are all human, and change can feel uncomfortable at times, but we should always strive to do better and become better versions of ourselves. I ran on the notion that I would stand up for the county, our deputies, and our country. This is what I have been doing and will continue to do.
As elected officials, we may not always agree, and healthy debate is part of the process. That debate does not by any mean equate to “fighting” or “clashing”. Ultimately, we all must pull together for a shared purpose: serving the people of Maries County with dedication, professionalism, and integrity for the betterment of our county as a whole.
I am proud of the collaborative relationships we maintain with our local justice partners. These relationships ensure our justice system is fair, efficient, and transparent. While there are always legal processes to navigate, I welcome these processes as opportunities to strengthen trust, demonstrate accountability, and ensure that our office continues to serve the public with integrity.
The citizens of Maries County deserve leadership from all county and local officials that focuses on safety, cooperation, and the shared well being of our community. My focus is on moving forward, bridging divides, fostering teamwork, and standing firm for the values that make our county a wonderful place to live.
We are one team. It is one fight. And it is my honor to stand with you.
Sincerely,
Sheriff Mark Morgan
Maries County Sheriff’s Office
