Greene County Sheriff's Office

This week marks #NationalPoliceWeek 2021. Let us take time to remember all of the Law Enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice! Let us also thank the officers currently protecting and serving our communities on a daily basis!

Please read the following news release from the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney's Office..

On May 5th, 1984, President Ronald Reagan declared the first week of May as National Correctional Officers Week. This week we want to honor the GCSO Jail Personnel and support staff. The Greene County Justice Center currently employs 296 staff members. That number includes Detention Officers, Full Medical/ Mental Health Team, Transportation, Kitchen, Mail Room, Laundry, and Administrative Staff.... Thank you GCSO Jail personnel and all the brave men and women working in Correctional Facilities across our country!

Today, GCSO celebrates the career and retirement of Officer Tim Wooten. Tim began his career 15 years ago as a detention officer and finished up as the jail visitation officer. Join us in thanking Tim for his service and wish him well in retirement!

...Help us Catch a Crook!!!

Saturday, May 1, the Annual Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial Service for 2021 took place in Jefferson City. GCSO was one of several agencies that participated in the service. Here are a few photos from the event.

**UPDATE** Here is a message from Lt. Steve Westbrook, the deputy who was struck during yesterday's pursuit. https://www.facebook.com/1159805144/posts/10221513855373325/?

December 12 Morning Update: Lieutenant Steve Westbrook has a lengthy road to recovery but his first round of surgeries went well last night. He is in good spirits. The Westbrook family asks for your continued prayers. The Greene County Sheriff’s Office asks for your continued support and prayers for all affected by this tragic situation. The Greene County Deputy who was injured in today's incident at State Highway 13 and E. 565th Rd. is Lieutenant Steven Westbrook. Steven has served GCSO for 24 years. Lt. Westbrook remains in serious but stable condition.

The Greene County Sheriff’s Office announces charges filed in regards to the Homicide that took place on October 20th, 2020 in the 13,000 block of W Farm Road 148. On October 20th, 2020 Greene County Deputies responded to a home in the 13,000 block of W Farm Road 148 in reference to a check wellbeing. Upon arrival they located the resident, Stanley Simon, deceased. The home had been burglarized, and Mr. Simon’s vehicle had been stolen from the scene. His death was ruled a ...Continue reading

Greene County Deputies responded to a residence in the 1200 block of State Highway WW in Springfield, for a domestic disturbance. Deputies remained in the area to try and locate the suspect. The suspect drove back by the victims house and a car stop was attempted. The suspect failed to yield and a pursuit ensued. Information was provided that the suspect was also possibly wanted for a probation violation. ... The suspect fled northbound on State Highway 13 into Polk County. Deputies received assistance in the pursuit from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Pleasant Hope Police and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The pursuit continued north to just south of Bolivar. The suspect turned around and proceeded back south bound on SH 13. The suspect continued south to E 565th and SH 13 in Polk County. At that intersection a Greene County Deputy was stopped, and parked off of the roadway in an attempt to deploy stop sticks. In what appears to be a deliberate act the suspect veered off of the road and struck our Deputy. Deputies immediately took the suspects into custody and began to render aide to our injured Deputy. The injured Deputy was transported by Air with very serious injuries to a local hospital. Greene County Detectives, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office remain on scene investigating this event. The Missouri Department of Transportation is aiding with traffic direction and detouring. Significant impacts to traffic are being experienced at this time. Sheriff Arnott and Sheriff Morrison want to thank all agencies involved for their assistance. Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement and MODOT all worked seamlessly together in this event. Sheriff Arnott states "I would ask the community to please keep our Deputy and his family in your thoughts and prayers. We are working closely with Polk County Sheriff Morrison, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Springfield Police Department to investigate this incident. I want to also thank my Deputies for their professionalism and dedication as we investigate this horrible assault.

Today, the Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast, presented Lt. Canter with an Outstanding Community Service Award! Lt. Canter has been employed with GCSO for 17 years and has served in several areas within our Jail and Training Divisions. Please join us in congratulating Lt. Tom Canter, this reward / recognition is well deserved!

*Update: Charlie has been found and is safe.* The Greene County Sheriff's Office needs your help in locating 9 year old Charlie Hickox. Charlie left his residence in the 3300 block of East Summit Ridge Dr, after a minor disturbance. Charlie is described as a white male, hazel eyes, light brown hair, 4'5" to 4'9" tall, weighing 60lbs. Charlie was last seen wearing a blue fluffy fleece, red light weight coat, blue shoes and possibly grey and khaki pants. ... If you see or have any information as to the whereabouts of Charlie, please call 911.

Yesterday the Greene County Sheriff's Office received a donation from Dr. Norman and Mary Nan Knowlton to our K9 program. We'd like to thank Dr. Knowlton and his wife for their continued support of the Sheriff's Office and our K9 program.

*UPDATE* Liberty Belle Watson has been located.

Missing / Endangered Person: 2700 Block of W. Farm Road 76 in Springfield Greene County Deputies need your assistance in locating 18 year old Liberty Belle Watson. Liberty has several medical issues that are physical as well as mental in nature. Liberty left her home without her prescribed medication (which she is highly dependent upon), she has no money and is without her cell phone and possibly enroute towards New Orleans.... Liberty is described as 5’8, 270lbs, with chin length red hair with an undercut. She was last seen wearing a black t-shirt reading Route 66 BBQ 2018 with a motorcycle on it, black and grey capris, pink Nike running shoes with neon yellow laces, and possible has a red and black plaid coat with her. She also has a tattoo of a blue butterfly on the front of her left shoulder. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Liberty is asked to call 911

*UPDATE* Homicide Victim’s Truck Located: This morning, a Springfield Police officer observed a truck, fitting the description of the missing truck in our homicide case, traveling south on Kansas Expressway near I-44. SPD Officers attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver turned off the truck lights and eluded officers. Deputies located the truck near Farm Road 165 and Burntwood Avenue, unoccupied. The driver/suspect was last seen running west of that location.... While Deputies searched for the suspect, we later learned that Webster County took a male into custody, matching our suspect's description, on unrelated charges. This individual is a person of interest in our Homicide investigation. We continue to ask for assistance from citizens in relation to the death of Mr. Simon or the theft of his vehicle to call the Greene County Sheriff's Office tip line at 417-829-6230

Homicide Victim’s Truck Located: This morning, a Springfield Police officer observed our homicide victim's truck traveling south on Kansas Expressway near I-44. SPD Officers attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver turned off the truck lights and eluded officers. The truck was found near Farm Road 165 and Burntwood. The driver/suspect was last seen running west of that location. The suspect is described as a white male, mid 20's, slender build, with a scruffy beard, wearing a camo jacket. If you see this male or anyone matching this description, do not approach and call 911. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call 911

Homicide Investigation: As Greene County Detectives continue to follow up on leads and search for the victim's missing truck, we ask that the public keep an eye out for the truck. The truck we are looking for is a 2004 Chevrolet 3500 Dually (White in color). The truck has some unique features such as a "Transformers" symbol, located on the Chevy emblem, on the front grill. It also has a "Back the Blue" sticker on the rear window glass. ... Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of this truck or any information regarding this incident is asked to call 911, The Greene County Sheriff's Office, or the GCSO Tip Line at 417-829-6230.

...Help us Catch a Crook!!

*UPDATE* Below is a photo of the victim's missing truck. This truck is very unique, it appears to have a "Transformers" decal on the Chevy emblem, located on the front grill. Suspicious Death Investigation... On 10/20/20, at approximately 3:35pm, Greene County Deputies were dispatched to the 13,000 block of W. Farm Road 148, for a well-being check. Deputies arrived 7 minutes later and found a deceased male, later identified as 39 year old Stanley Scott Simon II. Mr. Simon's family has been notified. The victim’s vehicle, a 2004 Chevrolet 3500 Quad Cab Dually, white in color bearing MO License Plate 9UBL50, is missing from the scene. The vehicle also has a "Back the Blue" sticker in the back glass. Anyone with information in regards to Mr. Simon’s death or the whereabouts of his vehicle is asked to contact 911, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office or the GCSO Tip Line at 417-829-6230 See more

Suspicious Death Investigation On 10/20/20, at approximately 3:35pm, Greene County Deputies were dispatched to the 13,000 block of W. Farm Road 148, for a well-being check. Deputies arrived 7 minutes later and found a deceased male, later identified as 39 year old Stanley Scott Simon II. Mr. Simon's family has been notified. The victim’s vehicle, a 2004 Chevrolet 3500 Quad Cab Dually, white in color bearing MO License Plate 9UBL50, is missing from the scene. The vehicle also... has a "Back the Blue" sticker in the back glass. Anyone with information in regards to Mr. Simon’s death or the whereabouts of his vehicle is asked to contact 911, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office or the GCSO Tip Line at 417-829-6230

...Help us Catch a Crook!

Today, Oz Water: Earth-Crafted Virgin Water, expressed their appreciation of service that GCSO provides to our community by donating several bottles of their delicious water for our employees to enjoy. THANK YOU Oz Water, your generosity is much appreciated!