Vernon County Sheriff's Office

Early Morning Pursuit Leads to Arrest On early Friday morning, Deputies with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop in Nevada, MO for traffic violations. According to Sheriff’s Office Officials, once the Deputy activated his emergency lights, the vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed failing to yield to the Deputy. Deputies then pursued the vehicle, which continued to flee into the southern side of Vernon County. During the pursuit, the v...ehicle slowed down and a male passenger exited the vehicle and fled from the roadway. Deputies were able to continue to pursue the vehicle into Barton County, where the vehicle eventually came to a stop. The driver, identified as 43-year-old Thomas Morgan, was taken into custody. Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher says, Any time we have a lengthy pursuit like this, we don’t know how it is going to end. Knowing it ended without anyone getting hurt and the suspect in Jail is a good thing. Morgan was charged with Felony Resisting Arrest by Fleeing and is currently being held in the Vernon County Jail on a $5,000 cash only bond.

Vernon County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for Patrol Deputy and Detention/Transport Officer. Apply online at www.vernoncosheriff.org/employment

**Update: Subject was located and is safe. Thank you!** The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office has issued an endangered person advisory for a missing person that was last seen at his residence in rural Moundville, MO. Justin A. Bethurem, a white male, age 44, height 6’01, 149 pounds has a mental disability and family members believe he walked away from the residence on the evening of January 8th. Any information on Justin or his location, please contact the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office at 417-667-6042.

We would like to congratulate Sergeant Miller on his 19 year anniversary with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office! Thank you for your dedication!

Sheriff Jason Mosher was sworn in for his third term as Sheriff of Vernon County this morning!

Thank you so much to everyone that made donations to our children’s food drive! Our deputies and detectives delivered all morning! We delivered approximately 50 boxes! Merry Christmas!

Thank you to Mike Morris and Jansen from Children’s Evangelistic Ministries for their donation to the Children’s Christmas Food Drive!

**Update: Vehicle has been located and recovered in SW Kansas** The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a 2006 maroon in color Dodge 2500 crew cab pickup truck with a license plate of Missouri 73H 2YJ stolen from the Deerfield area in the early morning hours of 12/17/2020. The truck was last seen heading west on 54 Hwy from Deerfield. Photos of the vehicle are attached. If anyone sees this vehicle or has any information, please contact the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office at 417-667-6042.

Thank you to Alan Shepherd and 54 Cafe for the $250.00 donation to our children’s food drive!