Just a simple thank you!

We would like you to join us in recognizing our staff for their dedication and hard work during the winter storm that moved through Bates County this weekend. We don't just want to recognize the men and women who were responding to the slide offs and answering calls for service in almost impossible road conditions but also other members of the Sheriff's Office like, Detention Officers and Dispatchers.

While many businesses and government offices are able to close due to weather, the Sheriff's Office and first responders still have to maintain a level of functionality. We want to Thank the employees who, despite the weather conditions braved it to come to work. We still have to run the jail to include serving 200 meals, medical needs and daily functions of the jail. We still have to have employees to answer the 911 phones to dispatch law enforcement, fire departments and EMS.

On this occasion, as some employees were not able to make it to work, other employees who were, volunteered to come in to help cover shifts and a few volunteered to work beyond their scheduled off time to make sure the needs of the Citizens of Bates County were met.

"The Sheriff's Office runs 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Weekends and holidays, snow days and ice days. The men and women from the Maintenance Man, Dispatchers, Control Room, Detention Officers, Medical Staff, Food Service Staff, Deputies, Detectives and Command Staff are dedicated and realize that we have to run as normal as possible in some of the worst conditions." Says Sheriff Anderson. "Some of the employees worked 14 to 16 hours straight, some came in to work when they were supposed to be off and could have stayed home in the warmth. We are only as strong as our employees and Bates County is Blessed to have the best and most dedicated people working at the Sheriff's Office."