Dexter, Missouri - The ShowMe Times "Back the Blue" series will feature our local men and women in law enforcement. A healthy bond already exists between the Dexter Police Department and our citizens.
The ShowMe Times hopes that you can get to know our local police force and they can share with you a little about themselves. While a good relationship exists between the police and residents of Dexter the August 4th annual "Back to Blue" event will only enhance that relationship and build on the foundation of good will.
Bottom line is that when police and law enforcement are appreciated and supported, they will only increase their commitment and desire to protect and serve.
Ross Culbertson, Badge #955, has been a patrolman with the Dexter Police Department for four years and has been a police officer for five years.
Why did you become a police officer?
“I knew several officers personally. It seemed like a fun job to try.”
What do you like most about your job as a police officer and why?
“I enjoy the freedom and being able to help people when I can.”
What do you like least about your job as a police officer and why?
“I have no dislikes about my job.”
With the recent unrest in our country with regards to attacks on police officers would you still recommend policing as a career to others? Why or why not?
“No I would not. I would not wish the danger that may be involved on anyone.”
What is the most gratifying incident you have ever been involved in?
“The most satisfying incident I have been involved in was saving a dog that fell into a drainage culvert that involved the fire department and street department.”
If you didn’t become a police officer what profession would you have wanted to join?
“I would have taken over the family business and became a farmer.”
Sometimes we forget that police officers have families that they are human just like us. On our darkest day they will be there for us. We hope they all return home safe to their families each and every day.
Thank you for keeping us safe!
Dexter, Missouri - The ShowMe Times "Back the Blue" series will feature our local men and women in law enforcement. A healthy bond already exists between the Dexter Police Department and our citizens.
The ShowMe Times hopes that you can get to know our local police force and they can share with you a little about themselves. While a good relationship exists between the police and residents of Dexter the August 4th "Back to Blue" event will only enhance that relationship and build on the foundation of good will.
Bottom line is that when police and law enforcement are appreciated and supported, they will only increase their commitment and desire to protect and serve.
Brad Brown, Badge #924, has been a patrolman with the Dexter Police Department for over four years.
Why did you become a police officer?
“I became a police officer to ensure the safety of the citizens of the community.”
What do you like most about your job as a police officer and why?
“I like being able to help people when they can’t help themselves.”
What do you like least about your job as a police officer and why?
“Directing traffic.”
With the recent unrest in our country with regards to attacks on police officers would you still recommend policing as a career to others? Why or why not?
“Honestly, no. Many people who get into law enforcement don’t stay long, so really it does them a favor. The ones who really want to be an officer, you can’t discourage.”
What is the most gratifying incident you have ever been involved in?
“There are too many daily events to list. I take satisfaction in just making a difference in the community.”
If you didn’t become a police officer what profession would you have wanted to join?
“Financial planning.”
Sometimes we forget that police officers have families that they are human just like us. Our our darkest day they will be there for us. We hope they all return home safe to their families each and every day.
Thank you for keeping us safe!
Dexter, Missouri - The ShowMe Times "Back the Blue" series will feature our local men and women in law enforcement. A healthy bond already exists between the Dexter Police Department and our citizens. The ShowMe Times hopes that you can get to know our local police force and they can share with you a little about themselves.
While a good relationship exists between the police and residents of Dexter the August 4th "Back to Blue" event will only enhance that relationship and build on the foundation of good will. Bottom line is that when police and law enforcement are appreciated and supported, they will only increase their commitment and desire to protect and serve.
Sammy W. Stone, Badge #911, is the Chief of Police at the Dexter Police Department. He has been with the Dexter Police Department for 31.5 years and has been a police officer for more than 35 years.
Why did you become a police officer?
“A friend of mine, who was an officer, talked me into applying. I knew on my very first day on the job that I was meant to be an officer.”
What do you like most about your job as a police officer and why?
“I like having the opportunity to give back to my city that has taken care of me through good and bad times.”
What do you like least about your job as a police officer and why?
“The helplessness I sometimes feel for the victims of crime. I think if I could just do more maybe an incident might not have happened.”
With the recent unrest in our country with regards to attacks on police officers would you still recommend policing as a career to others?
“Yes I would recommend becoming a police officer. What kind of country would we have if not for our laws and the law enforcement officers to enforce them? However, I fear for my officers and their safety.”
If you didn’t become a police officer what profession would you have wanted to join?
“I would have become a teacher and coach.”
Sometimes we forget that police officers have families. Sometimes on our darkest day a policeman is there for us. They are human too, they even feel your pain at times. They fish, they hunt, they attend church, and they spend time with their children and even grandchildren. They are human just like us and they have feelings just like us.
Sammy has been married for 26 wonderful years. He has five children and four grandchildren.
Thank you for keeping us safe!
Dexter, Missouri - In what has been some unstable times for police officers throughout the country, Sue Edwards, of Dexter felt it was time to celebrate our law enforcement.
“I just am tired of all the negative talk about the men and women who wear the badge,” stated Edwards. “I was sitting at the kitchen table one day and the more I thought about it the more I wanted to do something for our local officers who risk their lives each day.”
Dexter’s police department is fortunate enough to have so many citizens show their appreciation throughout the year, but on August 4, 2016 this day will be set aside each year to celebrate our local police force and all they do for the citizens of Dexter.
On Thursday the Dexter Police Department, the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Office, and several of our local Missouri Highway Patrol Troopers will be treated to lunch at Hickory Log at noon.
Dexter’s Mayor, Joe Weber, will be on hand to sign a city Proclamation dedicating August 4th as “Back the Blue” Day. Hopefully this will become and annual tradition and grow each year to include surrounding police departments.
Sue Edwards is point of contact for this event and she has already received a few donations from local businesses to help promote the event. For police officers invited, but not able to attend, gift certificates to Hickory Log will be given to them as a show of appreciation.
Missouri Senator Doug Libla will be the guest speaker.
The Boy Scouts plan to fly the American Flags down Business US 60. If your business has a flag, please display it August 4th.
Sue asks that everyone wear BLUE to work that day and if businesses could display BLUE ribbons to let the police know how much we support them in Dexter.
“I think about all those mothers, wives, and children who kiss their loved ones goodbye as they go off to work not knowing if they will return that evening. It can be a very dangerous job,” commented Edwards.
An account has been established at Southern Bank in Dexter for donations. The bank is located at 713 W. Business US Highway 60 in Dexter. Their phone number is (573) 624-5525.
If you would like to donate or need further information, please contact Sue Edwards at (573) 614-9266.
Dexter, Missouri - On Sunday, July 24, 2016 three young men earned the rank of Eagle Scout and an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony was conducted at the Faith Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Dexter.
Tyler Kent Stevenson, Weston Aaron Avery, and John William Brehmer became Eagle Scouts, the highest achievement attainable in the Boy Scouts of America.
Mark Avery, Troop Commissioner, served as Master of Ceremonies for the Court of Honor. He mentioned several of the benefits of Scouting, noting that history has shown that Scouts typically develop hobbies that will add interests throughout the rest of their lives. Many will go on to serve in the U.S. Military or serve in the U.S. or state governments.
"At least one of every 100 Scouts will use that training to save another person's life, and many will credit it with saving their own," Avery told a large audience in attendance.
Andrew Bond, also an Eagle Scout, served as Voice of the Eagle at the ceremony and credited the three new Eagle Scouts for their many achievements. He noted their efforts that earned them the rank of Eagle Scout.
"The climb from First Class to Eagle becomes harder with each step and only a handful of Scouts reach the top." Bond said. "As you climbed, you could see that there were far fewer Scouts ahead of you, clearing the path, than there were behind you, following in your footsteps."
Tyler Stevenson was credited with having earned 34 merit badges for Scouting. Will Brehmer earned 31 merit badges and Weston Avery earned 33 merit badges. Over the years these three young men participated in more than 200 nights of camping, hiked the trails of several camps, and completed over 100 service hours in their local community.
Each Scout completed a major project as a prerequisite to earning the Eagle Scout Rank. Tyler Stevenson built a bridge at the Bootheel Youth Camp near Bloomfield. Will Brehmer painted a livestock barn at the Stoddard County Fairgrounds. Weston Avery roofed a sign, built a picnic table and two benches at his church.
Each Scout recognized their parents with a special pin to acknowledging their part in their son's journey to the rank of Eagle.
Will Brehmer is the 17-year old son of J.T. and Monie Brehmer.
Weston Avery is the 17-year old son of Mark and Laurie Avery.
Both Brehmer and Avery will be seniors at Dexter High School.
Tyler Stevenson is the 18-year old son of Kay Stevenson and Keith Stevenson. Tyler will be attending Harding University in the fall.
Executive Director of the Dexter Chamber of Commerce, Hillary Starnes, congratulated them and spoke of their resolve to becoming an Eagle Scout.
Billy Pat Wright, representative for Senator Doug Libla spoke and presented each with a Resolution from the Missouri State government. He also named some very famous Eagle Scouts who went on to accomplish greatness in our history. Neil Armstrong, President Gerald Ford, Peter Kinder, Governor Jay Nixon among the few he named.
Congratulations to Will, Avery, and Tyler on attaining the highest rank in the Boy Scouts. You are officially and forever an Eagle Scout!
