The Primary Election will be held Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Locally, the only contested race is that of Atchison County Sheriff. Sheriff Dennis Martin did not file for re-election. Candidates for the office are Tyson Gibbons, Devon Sons, Matthew Heits, and Andy Riley, all on the Republican ticket.

The candidates were asked to submit information about themselves. Their responses (printed as submitted and in the order they were received) follow:

 

DEVON SONS

I began working in Law Enforcement in 2010 as a Dispatcher, Jailer, and Bailiff at the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office. In 2012 I attended the Missouri Sheriff’s Academy.

While attending the Sheriff’s Academy, I continued to work part time on nights and weekends throughout the year at the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office and the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office where I worked as a Dispatcher and Jailer. In 2013, I worked as a Deputy Sheriff for Holt County Sheriff’s Office. In 2014, I became a Police Officer for the Northwest Missouri State University Police where I worked with and learned from Dr. Clarence Green. In 2016, I returned home to serve as an Atchison County Sheriff’s Deputy. At the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office, I have served as:

– Dispatcher/Jailer

– Jail Administrator

– Court Bailiff and inmate transport  

– Evidence Custodian

– Firearms Instructor

– M.U.L.E.S. L.A.S.O. (Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System Local Agency Security Officer)

– Field Training Officer

– Racial Profiling Reporter

– School Resource Officer

– For the past three years, I have served as Law Enforcement Chair for the NWMO CIT Council.

I have received the following specialized training and certifications:

– MULES Certification  

– Crisis Intervention Training

– First Responder Peer Support Training

– Advanced Interview and Interrogation from John Reid & Associates

– Active Shooter Instructor for Citizens and Law Enforcement

– Firearms Instructor (pistol, rifle, and shotgun)

Since 2010, I have served in every position at the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office. I have seen firsthand what each job requires, I understand the legal requirements and liability issues which come with running a jail, a dispatch center, courtroom security, civil process, as well as patrol officers and I am uniquely qualified to oversee and lead all positions in the office moving forward.

 

TYSON GIBBONS

My decision to run for Sheriff was based on a tremendous amount of encouragement from community members, law enforcement officers, other emergency service members, family, and the opportunity to serve you. My primary employment of 28 years has been law enforcement at the Municipal, County, and Federal law enforcement levels. Serving my community, helping those in need, and protecting the rights of those who cannot defend themselves, is my passion.

My experience and training is extensive. But, when I don’t have the answers to a particular problem, I am humble enough to admit it. I have many contacts in various public service fields and am willing to reach out to those professionals who can guide me to a desired response. I continually look to improve upon my knowledge and skills as I do with my subordinates who work for me. My desire to be a more efficient and ready officer in my career, expanding my role to include certified EMT-B while Chief of Police, shows my willingness to grow to better serve the community. I constantly encourage junior officers and deputies to expand upon their knowledge and skill sets. My ability to manage officers and their performance has always been based on the needs of the community and all first responders for continual community support.

My commitment to community service has never faltered, even during the darkest of times in law enforcement. Technology paved the way to a level of transparency of officers’ actions and I quickly embraced it. Not only for officer safety, but for the community so that there is never a question about our ability to be professional for you. My personality allows me to be approachable in any setting. Answering questions based on my knowledge of statutes, criminal law, my officers actions, and the situation at hand is precise. If I don’t have an answer to your question, I will research it, find the answer, and return to you so you have all the facts. I enjoy my career field and all the aspects of it. Working day or night to assure everyone receives the best possible law enforcement response the community deserves.

My goals are essential and precise. Presence is the cornerstone of any law enforcement agency. Patrols will be required in all village communities, with an emphasis county roads to protect farm equipment and homesteads.

Transparency is paramount and a flow of information between the Sheriff’s Office and the public about suspicious activity helps prevent crime for everyone. Development of a communication system for anonymous and known-party reporting will include warnings and advisories of criminal activity occurring throughout the county with local news outlets and social media coverage. Scheduling maneuvers so all deputies are available to meet community members, participate in school resource activities, and create a stronger familiarity for everyone is key. I will work all shifts. Nights do not bother me. It’s important for a leader to work and develop a rapport with all subordinates to educate, evaluate, and understand how they interact with the public. Deputies must be personable and approachable. I will take a harsh stance against property crimes. Deputies will be inspired to do the same. Down time due to theft crime is unacceptable. I will closely monitor personnel and cases to assure task completion to prevent all cases from slipping through the cracks. Deputies will be inspired to obtain specialized skills that would benefit the county and fit their personality. Deputies who specialize in areas of interest serve the public far greater.

I am here for you in every way. I’ll work tirelessly to protect your rights, your family, your property, business, farm land, to investigate any crime that may find its way to your doorstep and work to prevent it from interfering in your way of life as a free United States citizen and citizen of Atchison County, Missouri. On August 6th, I ask for your vote as Sheriff of Atchison County, MO, to serve this great county with my Commitment & Experience.

 

MATTHEW HEITS

I was born and raised in Atchison County, on a farm between Fairfax and Rock Port. I attended school in Fairfax, from kindergarten through seventh grade. I started the eighth grade in Rock Port and graduated from Rock Port RII in 1988. By the age of 14, I knew I wanted to be a Missouri State Trooper. I achieved that life goal in my twenties and retired from the Missouri State Highway Patrol in November of 2022, after 28 years of credited service. I currently, and have for many years, operate a row crop farming operation in Atchison and Holt Counties. I served two terms on the Fairfax RIII School Board of Education from 2011 through 2017. After I learned of Sheriff Martin’s retirement plans, I decided we needed a strong leader in the position and filed for Atchison County Sheriff. I am what Atchison County needs as a strong leader in law enforcement.

During my career with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, I worked with many great supervisors, leaders and subordinates. I was fortunate to achieve my first supervisory role within the Highway Patrol as an assistant zone commander 23 years ago. I have attended different supervision and leadership schools and training. However, I learned more from the great supervisors and even from the subordinates I had in my tenure. I adopted from them those qualities that really work and reach through the varying personalities you deal with as a leader.

I was fortunate in my career to become a trainer/instructor for several different specialized topics/classes for the Highway Patrol. I was a crisis/hostage negotiator for several years for Troop H. Other than my “Road Trooper” career, I spent several years assigned to the Highway Patrol’s Criminal Investigative Bureau, based out of General Headquarters in Jefferson City.

During my Highway Patrol career I made thousands of drug and other criminal arrests. As your elected Atchison County Sheriff, I vow to continue  using my “Expertise in law enforcement” to making Atchison County a safer place for us to live and raise our younger families. I have a higher standard than most when it comes to enforcing and completing the job as it is supposed to be done. I want the public to have complete trust in my department. I want those I employ/supervise to do the job they are hired to do. I want them to take pride in a job done correctly! I can and will teach them the right way to do it.

I take a hard stance on our serious illegal drug problems in Atchison County. I take a hard stance on thefts/stealing and anything that is a crime against another person, especially our elderly and vulnerable. I will ensure my department’s door is “open” and we/my department will listen to our public, because I learned years ago the public is very often right.

Please vote for Matthew Heits, Atchison County Sheriff on August 6, 2024. Your vote is important.

 

ANDY RILEY

I am Andy Riley and I am running for the Office of Sheriff in Atchison County. I am a very experienced law enforcement professional with a rich background in serving and protecting our Country and community. I started my law enforcement career in the US military in 1991, I dedicated 20 years of my life to the US Navy before transitioning to civilian law enforcement at the Greene County Sheriff’s Office as corrections officer and reserve Deputy. My journey led me back to Atchison County, where I served as a Deputy for 8 years before continuing my career as a narcotics investigator for the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout my career, I have undergone extensive training in various areas such as drug interdiction, child protection, patrol tactics, and investigative techniques. I have forged strong partnerships with federal agencies like the DEA, FBI, and local task forces to combat crime effectively. Most recently I worked a case with Mills County Iowa that went federal involving distribution of large quantities of methamphetamine between Missouri and Iowa. Constant and consistent cooperation like this can lead to thwarting drug trafficking in our community. My commitment to our community’s public safety is unwavering, with a focus on advanced training for all deputies, combating drug trafficking, reducing crime rates, and ensuring efficient emergency services are provided for all the residents of Atchison County. My strong dedication to upholding the law, protecting the innocent, safeguarding individual rights, and advocating for justice and helping those in need makes me a very formidable candidate for Atchison County Sheriff. Vote for Andy Riley on August 6th, 2024, to support my vision for a safer and more secure community.