Maries County Presiding Commissioner, Victor Stratman, last Thursday signed a proclamation declaring the week of April 12-18 Public Safety Telecommunications Week in Maries County. The week also is recognized as the National Public Safety Telecommunications Week throughout the public safety world in the United States.

In the Proclamation, Commissioner Stratman states he “commends the devotion, contributions, and services of the Maries County 911 Telecommunicators.”

In 2019 Sheriff Chris Heitman asked the Maries County Commission to add a swing shift to assist with the heavier call volume and foot traffic hours. In 2020 he requested a pay increase for the 911 staff so the sheriff’s office could be more competitive with neighboring 911 call centers. The commissioners saw the need and did approve the pay increase. Sheriff Heitman said this has helped the 911 call center retain quality staff members where in years past the call center would lose them to higher-paying 911 centers.

“We are very proud to have these amazing individuals as part of the sheriff’s office team and consider each and every one of them as family,” Sheriff Heitman commented. “They are dedicated to their roles and are dedicated to learning more on every shift they work. Their devotion to their job is obviously done out of love for their community and the safety of our citizens. I sleep well at night knowing these individuals stand ready to answer your call for help. Each member of this team plays a significant role in your 911 call center and I would like to introduce them individually to you.”

• Elizabeth Thornton is a VHS graduate who joined the sheriff’s office in May 2019, coming from the Missouri Department of Corrections. She currently is serving as a 911 Communications Operator and the assistant Jail Administrator.

• Sydney Feeler is a VHS graduate who joined the sheriff’s office in September 2017. Over the past two and a half years, Sydney has transitioned from being a rookie 911 Communications Operator to her current role as the Assistant 911 Communications Director.

• Luis Reyes is a VHS graduate who joined the sheriff’s office in August 2018 and currently serves as a 911 Communications Operator and jailer during the swing shift.

• Tori Morgan is a VHS graduate who joined the sheriff’s office in May 2019 and currently serves as a 911 Communications Operator and jailer during the night shift.

• Allyson Rackers is a Blair Oaks graduate who joined the sheriff’s office in August of 2019 and currently serves as a 911 Communications Operator and jailer during the night shift.

• Gavin Snodgrass is a senior at BHS who joined the sheriff’s office in August 2019 as part of a high school work study program. He has excelled in learning and maturing in his role and is currently a fully trained 911 Communications Operator and jailer. He is currently a part time employee working both the swing and night shifts.

• Tim Edwards is a former Arkansas police officer who has been “called,” once again, back to law enforcement. He has been working as a 911 Communications Operator and Chaplain since joining the sheriff’s office in November 2019. His law enforcement credentials have expired so we are sponsoring him in the upcoming May Law Enforcement Academy with an anticipated graduation date in August. Upon his graduation, Tim will be serving the sheriff’s office as the permanent School Resource Officer in the Belle/Bland School District. His prior experience as a law enforcement officer, teacher’s aide, and school bus driver, plus his current role as Pastor of First Baptist Church in Bland, makes him a perfect fit for this role and we welcome him aboard, the sheriff said.

• Shane Sweno is an out of state transplant to Missouri who joined the sheriff’s office in May 2017. Shane is an experienced 911 Communications Operator, former police officer, certified EMT, and our in-house IT specialist. Shane currently serves as a 911 Communications Operator and is the sheriff’s office TAC (Terminal Agency Coordinator) for our compliance with CJIS (Criminal Justice Information System) and MULES (Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System) portals for criminal records, driving records, and the other sensitive data used in our daily investigations.

• Renee Kottwitz is a BHS graduate who has been with the sheriff’s office since 2012. She serves part time as the sheriff’s clerk “but is a key piece of our Office. While not a 911 Communications Operator, Renee is our ‘mother hen’ and is the key that holds it all together. She keeps our records straight, pays the bills, remembers birthdays, appreciations weeks, buys cards and candy, listens to our every complaint, and even makes custom t-shirts to say thank you to the staff. She is a caring and dedicated staff member and I know she does everything she does for our staff out of love and respect,” the sheriff stated.

He commented every one of these staff members are unique and special and asked members of the community to take time to tell them thank you when you see them. “I want to say a special thank you to everyone who has been sending snacks, food, and gifts to them this week thanking them for their service, it has been appreciated,” the sheriff said.