Monday, October 21, 2024

Henry County Sheriff’s Office Announces New Field Operations Division Captain

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce the appointment of Mike Bilbruck as the new Operations Division Captain. Captain Bilbruck brings over 20 years of law enforcement experience and specialized training, including extensive leadership in criminal investigations, crisis intervention, advanced interrogations, patrol operations, SWAT, and multi-jurisdictional task forces. He will oversee the Patrol Bureau, Investigations Bureau, Court Security, and Civil Process operations.

Captain Bilbruck began his law enforcement career with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office in 2003, and after gaining experience across other agencies, we are excited to welcome him back in this leadership role. “We are thrilled to welcome Captain Bilbruck to our leadership team,” said Sheriff Brown. “His wealth of experience and devotion to law enforcement will play a critical role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of our operation.”

In response to his new appointment, Captain Bilbruck said, “I am excited to return to Henry County, to reconnect with our community, and to help lead our office toward a promising future together.”

Captain Bilbruck has also been a key player in community engagement initiatives and public safety awareness events. Throughout his career, he has earned multiple commendations, including being named Deputy of the Year. Captain Bilbruck is dedicated not only to his law enforcement duties but also to his family and the community.

Sheriff Aaron N. Brown
Henry County Sheriff’s Office

Vernon County Sheriff's Office seeking public assistance

Public Alert-On October 21, 2024 an unknown suspect entered Chiggers, located in Sheldon Mo, stealing money and merchandise. 

If you recognize this person, please contact the Vernon County Sheriff's Office at 417-667-6042.



Life Saver Commendations given to Vernon County Sheriff's Office Staff!

On September 12, 2024, Detention Officer's, Hinds and Lynn, noticed an inmate, who was being released, fall over unconscious. They immediately rendered aide while calling for our full time nurse, Nurse Samantha Francis. 

Nurse Francis and Deputy Becerra administered life saving CPR until VCAD arrived. The male was then transported to a trauma center via air ambulance.

The actions of Nurse Francis, Deputy Becerra and Detention Officers, Hinds and Lynn saved the life of the male inmate.

Help us in thanking our staff for their dedication and service to the Citizens of Vernon County!


Prayers for the Hume School District

 


BHS Competes At All-District Choir




















The pictured BHS choir students participated in All-District Choir in Oak Grove, MO, Saturday, October 19. Congrats to Zion Plotner, who made All-State Choir for the second year in a row! We believe he is the only Butler student to ever make All-State twice. Way to go Bears!

Front: Windsday Grissom, Madison Kennedy, Makenzie Algiere, Kensley Schowengerdt, Morgan Stump. Back: Bethany Swarnes, Zion Plotner, Olivia Blaser, Lola Blaser

Obituary - Vernon Steffen

Vernon Steffen, 89 of Kansas City, Missouri passed away at his home on October 16, 2024. Graveside services will be held 11:00 am Wednesday, October 23, 2024 in Prairie City Cemetery, Prairie City, Missouri. Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Memorial contributions may be made to the ASPCA. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Vernon Francis Steffen was born February 5, 1935 in Hoisington, Kansas to Joseph and Otilda Prizner Steffen. The family eventually moved to Sedalia, Missouri where Vernon would grow up.

He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1953 and went to work until he was drafted to serve in the US Army from 1958 to 1960. After being honorably discharged he went to work for the railroad for a time as electrician. He later moved to Kansas City, Missouri and began his career as a Computer Programmer for United States Department of Agriculture until retirement in 1993.

Vernon enjoyed many things in life; reading, learning, volunteering at the Catholic Church in Weston, Missouri. He also loved photography, but most of all, he loved spending all of his time with his wife Donna and their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents and wife Donna Wilt Steffen. He is survived by his daughter Karin Steffen West, son Eric Steffen, granddaughters, Brittney, Brooke, Tatum, and Briana, along with great-grandchildren, William, Charlie, Maggie, Lena, and Liam. He also leaves behind his beloved sisters, Caroline Keeby, Dorothy Fischer, and Deloris Verkest and their families.

Obituary - Linda Rutherford

Linda Rutherford, 72, of Butler, Missouri passed away on October 15th, 2024 at Appleton City Manor. She passed away peacefully while the song My Jesus by Anne Wilson played in the background. Cremation, with private family services to be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Memorial contributions may be made to Butler Public Library. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com

Linda Rutherford was born on August 20th, 1952 in Pasadena, California, to Vince Smith and Joyce (Aguirre)

She attended Rosemead High School in Rosemead, California. She had a very lucrative work life. She held many jobs such as police officer, recruiter, salesmen & business owner as well as working for several different companies such as Smith Roller Company, Donald Rutherford Company & Police Legal Sciences. She was one of the first women police officers that worked for the El Monte Police Station in LA County, California. Linda devoted much of her life working as a broker selling copiers which she did for 9 years. It was not until 2010 where she really found her passion working for a company called Police Legal Sciences, where she worked as a salesman that sold dispatch training to police stations all over the country. 

Linda found such happiness and passion in being able to help train people who were in charge of saving people’s lives on a daily basis. She retired happily from this company in December of 2021. Linda Rutherford worked hard her entire life and devoted so much time and effort into any job she had. She did all she could to provide for her 10 kids, she always succeeded and she never took no for an answer.

Linda’s true passions in life were spending time with family, shopping and talking on the phone. Her 10 children were her life. Even though they were spread all across the country they always made it a point to try to see her and always call her. She loved talking on the phone to all her family and sending very long voicemails to them if they did not answer. You could always find her at a garage sale or ordering anything and everything on amazon and Facebook marketplace. Her English bulldogs held a special place in her heart. She loved listening to live music at The Wine Journal and watching anything from her extensive DVD collection.

Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Raymond Rutherford Senior. She is survived by her parents, Vince & Joyce Smith (Riverside, California); her brother, Robert Smith (Riverside, California); her 10 children, Christine Abrams (St. Maries, Idaho), Cindy Mireles (Casa Grande, Arizona), Mike Mireles (San Diego, California), Lisa Calbick (Moscow, Idaho), Kimberly Castro (Tempe, Arizona), Jeanette Mireles (Lawrence, Kansas), Kenny Mireles (Marshall, Minnesota), Kathleen Mireles-Busick (Butler, Missouri), DJ Rutherford (Jersey City, New Jersey) and Ashley Robles (Las Vegas, Nevada). She is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Linda had a beautiful soul and touched anyone that she met. She had charisma, loved deeply, a beautiful smile and was willing to do anything for the people that she loved. She was down to earth and put out enough love for multiple lifetimes. She will be forever missed and never forgotten.

Lady bears 4th grade volleyball team ends the season on top!

The Butler 4th grade girls volleyball team finished their season as CHAMPIONS with a 1st place finish! Congratulations on an amazing season girls!


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