Ozark County earns Missouri Blue Shield designation for 2026

GAINESVILLE, Mo. (Edited News Release/KY3) — The Ozark County Sheriff’s Office has earned the Missouri Blue Shield designation for 2026.

The Missouri Department of Public Safety notified the sheriff’s office of the honor, which recognizes Missouri communities that demonstrate their commitment to enhancing public safety, investing in and supporting law enforcement, and building partnerships between law enforcement and the community.

Gov. Mike Kehoe created the Missouri Blue Shield Program in January 2025 through Executive Order 25-03. In 2025, 201 Missouri communities earned the Blue Shield designation. The opportunity to earn the Blue Shield designation for 2026 opened on Feb. 4. Communities that earned the Blue Shield designation in 2025 had to reapply this year to be approved once again.

“The Blue Shield program has shown what’s possible when communities commit to prioritizing law enforcement and public safety,” Kehoe said. “After awarding $50,000 grants to more than 200 communities last year, we’re continuing that work by welcoming new communities and renewing Blue Shield designations for counties, towns, and cities that remain committed to the program.”

“Strengthening public safety and committing to joint law enforcement community-citizen safety efforts is what the Blue Shield Program is all about, and the Department of Public Safety is honored to work with communities like Ozark County, that have answered the Blue Shield challenge,” said Mark James, director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety. “Last year, the essential equipment provided by Blue Shield grants included 388 mobile data terminals, 351 body cameras, 151 license plate readers, 102 ballistic vests, 91 interoperable radios and 56 vehicles. We look forward to getting additional important equipment and training to our partners in local law enforcement.”

“We are honored to be the most recent recipient of Missouri’s Blue Shield award,” said Sheriff Cass Martin, sheriff of Ozark County. “The Ozark County Sheriff’s Office works to be a leader in our community and across the state when it comes to providing those who live in Ozark County with exceptional team members, equipment, and continued training. This award shows that the continued hard work and effort of my staff, deputies, jailers, and everyone involved at the Ozark County Sheriff’s Office is recognized not only locally but across the state.”

Communities that earn a Missouri Blue Shield designation will receive grant funding for law enforcement training and equipment as part of Kehoe’s recommended budget for the state fiscal year 2027, provided the General Assembly approves the funding. The governor’s fiscal year 2027 budget appropriated $10 million to the program for equipment and training grants.

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