The Maries County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) held a staff meeting last Thursday evening providing information to deputies, dispatchers and jailers, and five awards and three promotions were announced.

The meeting was well attended with about 25 present. Chief Deputy Major Scott John said the sheriff’s department holds these meetings every few months. At the meetings, they go over any policy changes, disseminate information staff members need to know, discuss equipment needs, open investigations, problem areas in need of discussion, and to recognize anyone who is deserving.

Awards and promotions were announced and those present gave a good applause to those who were recognized.

Promoted were John, who was promoted from Lieutenant to Major. Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman said in his eight years with the sheriff’s office, John has shown intelligence and leadership and has been a great benefit to the sheriff’s organization. He named him Chief Deputy. John will supervise the entire sheriff’s office and will serve as acting sheriff’s designated authority in Heitman’s absence. At the meeting Thursday night, Heitman congratulated him and suggested John may follow in his footsteps and become sheriff one day.

Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Morgan was promoted to Lieutenant. He will supervise all commissioned deputies. John said Morgan has an exemplary record serving a road supervisor the past few years. Since his promotion, the patrol division has increased effectiveness of patrols, the number of business checks completed, and the number of incidents initiated from proactive patrolling has increased. Morgan has developed a reputation in the community and among the staff of the sheriff’s office as a man of integrity, pride, fairness and exceptional work ethic. His leadership, organizational skills, professionalism and attitude are admired by his superiors and respected by his subordinates. His overall impact to the sheriff’s office has been beyond expectations and this promotion is more than deserved. He expressed his congratulations on Morgan’s promotion to lieutenant.

Also promoted was Jailer Elizabeth Thornton, who was promoted to corporal. She will supervise the communications center and the jail. John said Thornton has demonstrated exemplary service to the Maries County 911 Communications Center and Maries County Jail during her employment. While several of her peers were considered for this position she was determined as the best qualified for it. Her dedication and professionalism has not only been demonstrated in her work as a jailer and dispatcher, but in her hours she has spent volunteering with the sheriff’s office. Thornton has volunteered with the annual sheriff’s water gun fight, Halloween Trunk or Treats, Belle Fair and Maries County Fair. Her work in the jail and communications center has been exceptional. She has mentored new hires, improved policies and living conditions in the jail, and has an exceptional reputation amongst her peers. He congratulated her on her work and on her promotion to corporal.

Deputy Michael Sasseen was presented with the life saving sheriff’s commendation. John said the MCSO believes in the recognition of deputies, their actions and the outstanding efforts in service to community and their fellow deputies. In keeping with this belief, he received the award for his outstanding efforts on Nov. 15. On that day at 2312 hours, Sasseen responded to a medical emergency call for service and upon arrival found the patient on the ground with a broken leg below the knee. The patients leg was broken to the extent of causing a large open wound and massive hemorrhaging. Sasseen quickly assessed the extent of the injury and immediately applied a tourniquet that effectively stopped the blood loss prior to emergency medical services arriving. The deputy continued treating the patient by bandaging the patient’s other injuries. Ozark Ambulance District Paramedic Bret Holtmeyer said Sasseen saved the patient’s life. Sasseen was commended for his quick response, recognition of the severity of the medical emergency and immediate actions that results in saving a life. A failure to act in the situation could have led to a tragic outcome. Heitman said he spoke with the patient’s family and they are grateful for what the deputy did.

Also recognized with a letter of appreciation was Jailer Shannon Fannon. John said she has shown exemplary service to the position of jailer since her return to the MCSO. Her dedication has been demonstrated in her selfless work ethic, positive example, contagious attitude, unparalleled desire to assist others and professional service to the sheriff’s office. She is an outstanding example to her peers and someone others should strive to emulate as she is admired by her supervisors and appreciated by the sheriff.

Jailer Shane Sweno received a letter of appreciation for his demonstrated exemplary service to the Maries County 911 Communications Center. During a period of short staffing in late September and early October, while the communications center was operating one person short, the center’s supervisor suffered a loss in the family and needed convalescent leave. Sweno rose to the occasion and covered any shift needed so the supervisor  did not have to worry about work rated issues. Sweno selflessly worked a 24-hour shift to ensure the communications center maintained a full operating staff and continued professional service to the citizens of the county. John said Sweno is an outstanding example to his peers and one they should strive to emulate as he is admired by supervisors and appreciated by the sheriff.

The meeting and awards program were followed by a carry-in dinner in the conference room of the courthouse.