OSAGE COUNTY — Osage County Sheriff Mike Bonham told commissioners on Tuesday, Feb. 13, that he’s running for a third term in 2024. “I have spent my time in the office of the sheriff working to make our communities safe,” he said in a prepared statement. “I want to keep on fighting for our community and our employees.”

Commissioners were happy to get the news. “I think you’ve done a great job,” said Osage County Western District Commissioner Larry Kliethermes. “People seem happy in my district.”

“I thank God for affording me the opportunity to serve as your sheriff and to lead the brave men and women of the Osage County Sheriff’s Office during this time of growth and prosperity,” said Bonham. “Unfortunately, we know all too well that with prosperity and growth, unsavory elements in our society will sometimes follow. We must each continue to remain vigilant and work together to protect our families and property. I am committed to that end, and with the community’s continued support, we will continue to make our county a safer place to live and raise our families.”

Bonham was first elected in 2016 and organized the office from the top down and the bottom up. In 2020, the sheriff earned reelection and continued to develop many fruitful relationships in his effort to maintain law and order. “We have a good reputation with our law-enforcement partners. There’s a few more things we need to get done, and it takes a cooperative effort.”

“We’ve got to be a team,” Osage County Eastern District Commissioner John Trenshaw agreed. “I think it’s awesome you’re running.”

Bonham is most proud of the effort to increase deputy salaries with the passage of a tax measure. “Getting their pay up could not have been done without the citizens’ support by voting Prop P in,” he said.

Changing the radio system to the statewide network known as “MOSWIN” has fostered better communication within the sheriff’s office and its first-responder partners.

He’s also pleased to be part of the county-wide CAD-RMS (record management system).

“The most thrilling part about being sheriff is to be able to return stolen property,” said Bonham.

In a statement to residents, Bonham said, “I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the citizens of Osage County for allowing me the privilege of serving another four years as your sheriff. As I reaffirm my commitment to always honor and respect the rule of law and protect those God-given rights enshrined in our precious Constitution, I remain humbled by the faith and confidence you have placed in me. We are fortunate to live in the best county in the state of Missouri, and with your continued support and the assistance of our other elected officials, I intend to help keep it that way. I am so very grateful for my beautiful and loving wife, Glenda, who, through thick and thin, has always stood firmly by my side. My journey would have been impossible without her.  I humbly ask that you continue to have faith in me to finish the great work we’ve started by honoring me with your vote on Aug. 6 and again on Nov. 5. God Bless You All.”

“I appreciate you being a servant to the people of the community,” Osage County Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin concluded. “Everybody has a lot of respect for you. I have a lot of respect for you.”