Bart Perrier Sheriff

News

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

๐Ÿšจ ESCAPED INMATE ALERT ๐Ÿšจ
Osage County Sheriff's Office | July 30, 2025

The Osage County Sheriffโ€™s Office, in coordination with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, and Hominy Police Department is actively searching for an escaped inmate from Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy, OK.

ESCAPED INMATE DETAILS:

Name: Ponca Green
Age: 45
Race/Sex: Native American / Male
Height/Weight: 6โ€™1 / 200lbs
Last Seen Wearing: unknown
Time/Date of Escape: Morning of 7/30/25
Last Known Direction of Travel: Unknown

This individual has a history of escape, burglary and armed robbery. He has very noticeable tattoos on his face neck areas. This individual should be considered dangerous. Do not approach. If you see someone matching this description or have any information on their whereabouts, please contact the Osage County Sheriffโ€™s Office immediately at 918-287-3131 or dial 911.

Updates will be posted here as more information becomes available. Please remain alert and vigilant, especially in the Hominy area and surrounding communities.

SHARE to help us spread the word. Your awareness could make a difference.
See MoreSee Less

48 minutes ago
๐Ÿšจ ESCAPED INMATE ALERT ๐Ÿšจ
Osage County Sheriffs Office | July 30, 2025

The Osage County Sheriffโ€™s Office, in coordination with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, and Hominy Police Department is actively searching for an escaped inmate from Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy, OK.

ESCAPED INMATE DETAILS:

Name: Ponca Green
Age: 45
Race/Sex: Native American / Male
Height/Weight: 6โ€™1 / 200lbs
Last Seen Wearing: unknown
Time/Date of Escape: Morning of 7/30/25
 Last Known Direction of Travel: Unknown

This individual has a history of escape, burglary and armed robbery. He has very noticeable tattoos on his face neck areas. This individual should be considered dangerous. Do not approach. If you see someone matching this description or have any information on their whereabouts, please contact the Osage County Sheriffโ€™s Office immediately at 918-287-3131 or dial 911.

Updates will be posted here as more information becomes available. Please remain alert and vigilant, especially in the Hominy area and surrounding communities.

SHARE to help us spread the word. Your awareness could make a difference.Image attachmentImage attachment

๐—ง๐—ฒ๐—ป ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ผ๐˜‚๐˜€๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐——๐—ผ๐—น๐—น๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐˜€ ๐——๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—”๐—น๐—ถ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ: ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—›๐˜‚๐—ป๐˜ ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐——๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ธ ๐—š๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ด๐—ด

On the morning of May 21, 1924, word crackled like wildfire across Osage County: Dick Gregg, a notorious outlaw with ties to the feared Al Spencer gang, had been captured. Just hours earlier, the Farmers State Bank in Burbank, OK had been robbed in a brazen daylight heist. Now, one of the men believed responsible was in custody following a dramatic and violent confrontation deep in the Osage Hillsโ€”a region long known as a safe haven for outlaws.

๐—š๐˜‚๐—ป๐—ณ๐—ถ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—ข๐—ถ๐—น ๐—™๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐—น๐—ฑ๐˜€

Burbank, a booming oil town about 25 miles west of Pawhuska, was left shaken by the robbery. Witness accounts quickly tied Gregg to the scene. But it was swift action by two unlikely lawmenโ€”John Henderson, a former deputy sheriff working as constable of nearby Lyman, and Freddie Graves, a deputized postal worker and son of the town marshalโ€”that brought Gregg to justice.

The showdown unfolded in Lyman, a rough-and-tumble town in the heart of the Burbank oil field. Acting on reports of a disturbance near the Cadillac Rooms, Henderson and Graves approached a boarding house suspected of harboring outlaws. Graves circled back while Henderson knocked on the front door. There, Graves suddenly found himself face-to-face with Dick Gregg. Before he could draw, Gregg had him covered at gunpoint.

Moments later, Henderson entered the scene. Gregg spun around and opened fire. A bullet tore into Hendersonโ€™s hip. Despite the injury, both men returned fire. Hendersonโ€™s revolver eventually clicked empty, and Gravesโ€™s pistol misfired. Gregg pistol-whipped Graves, disarmed both men, and marched them at gunpoint toward a waiting car. "I'm taking you out to the prairie," Gregg warned, "and I'm going to shoot you both."

But fateโ€”and a fearless taxi driverโ€”intervened. As Gregg forced the wounded lawmen into the car, the driver struck the outlawโ€™s hand, knocking his revolver loose. Henderson lunged forward, locking Gregg in a half-nelson. The car exploded into chaos. A violent struggle ensued inside until Gregg was overpowered, shackled, and dragged from the vehicle.

When Marshal Arthur Graves and Deputy Smith Leahy delivered Gregg to the Osage County Jail in Pawhuska that night, he was beaten so badly that jailers couldn't immediately confirm his identity. His eyes were swollen shut beneath heavy bandages.

Gregg wasnโ€™t alone. Authorities also arrested Wendall Powell, an alleged ex-convict, and Alta Greggโ€”reported as either Dickโ€™s sister or his wife. She was described as a small woman with black hair and dark eyes and was said to be the getaway driver behind the wheel of the Cadillac sedan.

๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ธ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐—ฎ๐—ป ๐—ข๐˜‚๐˜๐—น๐—ฎ๐˜„

Dick Gregg was no stranger to law enforcement. Born in Nowata, Oklahoma, his rap sheet was long and violent. Two years earlier, heโ€™d been arrested near Bigheart (now Barnsdall) by Deputy Ted Strong alongside associates I.E. Berry and another gang member. Their car was loaded with firearms and ammunition. Strong, unaware of their identities, brought them into Pawhuska alone, where they were placed in the Osage County Jail. Gregg was soon extradited to Kansas, but jumped a $20,000 bond and vanished.

He resurfaced later in Pawhuska, where he engaged in a shootout with Pawhuska police during another attempted arrest. Officer C.E. Van Noy was wounded; Gregg escaped yet again.

He was a suspect in the June 7, 1922, murder of William Lockett, the night marshal of Ochelata, Oklahoma. Lockett was shot through the heart during a burglary that reportedly involved both Gregg and Al Spencer. Weeks later, Gregg and Spencer robbed a bank in Elgin, Kansas, escaping with over $20,000 in bonds and $1,500 in cash, taking hostages and fleeing back across the Oklahoma border.

๐—” ๐—ž๐—ฒ๐˜† ๐—ช๐—ถ๐˜๐—ป๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜€ ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ป ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐—ง๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—ข๐˜€๐—ฎ๐—ด๐—ฒ ๐— ๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€

By fall 1925, the Osage Indian Murdersโ€”also known as the Reign of Terrorโ€”had sparked national outrage. Despite Bureau of Investigation agent Tom White making progress, J. Edgar Hoover, still forging his national profile, was demanding results. Fear gripped the Osage Nation, and families began fleeing their homesโ€”some even leaving the country.

In a desperate bid for new leads, Tom White arranged a meeting with Dick Gregg, then serving time in a Kansas penitentiary. Through a local attorney, Gregg was transported to Pawhuska under guard to meet with White at the county jail.

In exchange for a sentence reduction, Gregg offered explosive testimony: he claimed that William Hale, the powerful rancher at the heart of the Osage murder conspiracy, had paid the Spencer gang $2,000 to kill Bill and Rita Smith. Gregg said he refused the hit, insisting he would not murder a woman. Even by the brutal standards of the era, Gregg maintained that killing an Indian woman crossed a moral line.

But before he could testify in open court, Gregg pulled off another sensational escape. In 1927, while being held in Pawhuska for the trial, he escaped the Osage County Jail and vanished into the hills once more.

๐—™๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ฎ๐—น ๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐—ธ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด

Gregg remained a fugitive for over two years. During that time, he was linked to a string of robberies across the region. The last confirmed sighting came after a robbery of the Peoples State Bank in Wichita, Kansas, on July 26, 1929.

His criminal saga ended weeks later, on August 29, 1929, in a deadly shootout outside Sand Springs, near the Tulsa-Osage County line. After a car accident, Gregg and an accomplice attempted to flee. When Tulsa Highway Patrolmen Ross Darrow and Abraham Bowline tried to make an arrest, Gregg opened fire, killing both officers.

As Patrolman Darrow fell from his wounds, he summoned the strength to return fireโ€”his final act of duty. His bullet struck Gregg, who collapsed and died at the scene, ending one of the most violent outlaw careers in Osage County history. Nearby, officers arrested Bob Dyer, a 29-year-old Indian cowboy from Pawhuska, in connection with the shooting. Dyer told authorities that he and Gregg had traveled to Tulsa the night before to have Greggโ€™s car repaired at a local mechanic's garage. With no prior criminal record and insufficient evidence tying him to the crime, Dyer was later released.

The deaths of Patrolmen Darrow and Bowline left behind grieving widows and childrenโ€”and marked the grim closing chapter of Dick Greggโ€™s long and bloody reign across the Osage Hills.

๐—Ÿ๐—ฒ๐—ด๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐˜† ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—ข๐˜€๐—ฎ๐—ด๐—ฒ ๐—›๐—ถ๐—น๐—น๐˜€

Author Gerald Moore once wrote that, since the days when Abilene, Arkansas City, and Dodge City were young cow towns, the Osage Hills had served as a โ€œhaven of the fugitive.โ€ The tangled scrub oak, deep canyons, and rocky ridges formed a natural fortress for those hoping to evade the law.

It was in this unforgiving wilderness that outlaws like Dick Gregg disappearedโ€”and where, sooner or later, justice caught up with them.
See MoreSee Less

2 days ago
๐—ง๐—ฒ๐—ป ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ผ๐˜‚๐˜€๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐——๐—ผ๐—น๐—น๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐˜€ ๐——๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—”๐—น๐—ถ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ: ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—›๐˜‚๐—ป๐˜ ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐——๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ธ ๐—š๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ด๐—ด

On the morning of May 21, 1924, word crackled like wildfire across Osage County: Dick Gregg, a notorious outlaw with ties to the feared Al Spencer gang, had been captured. Just hours earlier, the Farmers State Bank in Burbank, OK had been robbed in a brazen daylight heist. Now, one of the men believed responsible was in custody following a dramatic and violent confrontation deep in the Osage Hillsโ€”a region long known as a safe haven for outlaws.

๐—š๐˜‚๐—ป๐—ณ๐—ถ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—ข๐—ถ๐—น ๐—™๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐—น๐—ฑ๐˜€

Burbank, a booming oil town about 25 miles west of Pawhuska, was left shaken by the robbery. Witness accounts quickly tied Gregg to the scene. But it was swift action by two unlikely lawmenโ€”John Henderson, a former deputy sheriff working as constable of nearby Lyman, and Freddie Graves, a deputized postal worker and son of the town marshalโ€”that brought Gregg to justice.

The showdown unfolded in Lyman, a rough-and-tumble town in the heart of the Burbank oil field. Acting on reports of a disturbance near the Cadillac Rooms, Henderson and Graves approached a boarding house suspected of harboring outlaws. Graves circled back while Henderson knocked on the front door. There, Graves suddenly found himself face-to-face with Dick Gregg. Before he could draw, Gregg had him covered at gunpoint.

Moments later, Henderson entered the scene. Gregg spun around and opened fire. A bullet tore into Hendersonโ€™s hip. Despite the injury, both men returned fire. Hendersonโ€™s revolver eventually clicked empty, and Gravesโ€™s pistol misfired. Gregg pistol-whipped Graves, disarmed both men, and marched them at gunpoint toward a waiting car. Im taking you out to the prairie, Gregg warned, and Im going to shoot you both.

But fateโ€”and a fearless taxi driverโ€”intervened. As Gregg forced the wounded lawmen into the car, the driver struck the outlawโ€™s hand, knocking his revolver loose. Henderson lunged forward, locking Gregg in a half-nelson. The car exploded into chaos. A violent struggle ensued inside until Gregg was overpowered, shackled, and dragged from the vehicle.

When Marshal Arthur Graves and Deputy Smith Leahy delivered Gregg to the Osage County Jail in Pawhuska that night, he was beaten so badly that jailers couldnt immediately confirm his identity. His eyes were swollen shut beneath heavy bandages.

Gregg wasnโ€™t alone. Authorities also arrested Wendall Powell, an alleged ex-convict, and Alta Greggโ€”reported as either Dickโ€™s sister or his wife. She was described as a small woman with black hair and dark eyes and was said to be the getaway driver behind the wheel of the Cadillac sedan.

๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ธ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐—ฎ๐—ป ๐—ข๐˜‚๐˜๐—น๐—ฎ๐˜„

Dick Gregg was no stranger to law enforcement. Born in Nowata, Oklahoma, his rap sheet was long and violent. Two years earlier, heโ€™d been arrested near Bigheart (now Barnsdall) by Deputy Ted Strong alongside associates I.E. Berry and another gang member. Their car was loaded with firearms and ammunition. Strong, unaware of their identities, brought them into Pawhuska alone, where they were placed in the Osage County Jail. Gregg was soon extradited to Kansas, but jumped a $20,000 bond and vanished.

He resurfaced later in Pawhuska, where he engaged in a shootout with Pawhuska police during another attempted arrest. Officer C.E. Van Noy was wounded; Gregg escaped yet again.

He was a suspect in the June 7, 1922, murder of William Lockett, the night marshal of Ochelata, Oklahoma. Lockett was shot through the heart during a burglary that reportedly involved both Gregg and Al Spencer. Weeks later, Gregg and Spencer robbed a bank in Elgin, Kansas, escaping with over $20,000 in bonds and $1,500 in cash, taking hostages and fleeing back across the Oklahoma border.

๐—” ๐—ž๐—ฒ๐˜† ๐—ช๐—ถ๐˜๐—ป๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜€ ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ป ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐—ง๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—ข๐˜€๐—ฎ๐—ด๐—ฒ ๐— ๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€

By fall 1925, the Osage Indian Murdersโ€”also known as the Reign of Terrorโ€”had sparked national outrage. Despite Bureau of Investigation agent Tom White making progress, J. Edgar Hoover, still forging his national profile, was demanding results. Fear gripped the Osage Nation, and families began fleeing their homesโ€”some even leaving the country.

In a desperate bid for new leads, Tom White arranged a meeting with Dick Gregg, then serving time in a Kansas penitentiary. Through a local attorney, Gregg was transported to Pawhuska under guard to meet with White at the county jail.

In exchange for a sentence reduction, Gregg offered explosive testimony: he claimed that William Hale, the powerful rancher at the heart of the Osage murder conspiracy, had paid the Spencer gang $2,000 to kill Bill and Rita Smith. Gregg said he refused the hit, insisting he would not murder a woman. Even by the brutal standards of the era, Gregg maintained that killing an Indian woman crossed a moral line.

But before he could testify in open court, Gregg pulled off another sensational escape. In 1927, while being held in Pawhuska for the trial, he escaped the Osage County Jail and vanished into the hills once more.

๐—™๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ฎ๐—น ๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐—ธ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด

Gregg remained a fugitive for over two years. During that time, he was linked to a string of robberies across the region. The last confirmed sighting came after a robbery of the Peoples State Bank in Wichita, Kansas, on July 26, 1929.

His criminal saga ended weeks later, on August 29, 1929, in a deadly shootout outside Sand Springs, near the Tulsa-Osage County line. After a car accident, Gregg and an accomplice attempted to flee. When Tulsa Highway Patrolmen Ross Darrow and Abraham Bowline tried to make an arrest, Gregg opened fire, killing both officers.

As Patrolman Darrow fell from his wounds, he summoned the strength to return fireโ€”his final act of duty. His bullet struck Gregg, who collapsed and died at the scene, ending one of the most violent outlaw careers in Osage County history. Nearby, officers arrested Bob Dyer, a 29-year-old Indian cowboy from Pawhuska, in connection with the shooting. Dyer told authorities that he and Gregg had traveled to Tulsa the night before to have Greggโ€™s car repaired at a local mechanics garage. With no prior criminal record and insufficient evidence tying him to the crime, Dyer was later released.

The deaths of Patrolmen Darrow and Bowline left behind grieving widows and childrenโ€”and marked the grim closing chapter of Dick Greggโ€™s long and bloody reign across the Osage Hills.

๐—Ÿ๐—ฒ๐—ด๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐˜† ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—ข๐˜€๐—ฎ๐—ด๐—ฒ ๐—›๐—ถ๐—น๐—น๐˜€

Author Gerald Moore once wrote that, since the days when Abilene, Arkansas City, and Dodge City were young cow towns, the Osage Hills had served as a โ€œhaven of the fugitive.โ€ The tangled scrub oak, deep canyons, and rocky ridges formed a natural fortress for those hoping to evade the law.

It was in this unforgiving wilderness that outlaws like Dick Gregg disappearedโ€”and where, sooner or later, justice caught up with them.Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment

A thiefโ€™s dream: an unlocked car. Donโ€™t let them get an easy steal. A few seconds of caution can save your vehicle. Some safety tips include:
๐Ÿ’ก Park in well-lit areas.
๐Ÿ”’ Close and lock all doors and windows.
๐Ÿ‘œ Hide valuables out of sight.
๐Ÿ”‘ Take your keys with you; donโ€™t leave them in the vehicle.
๐Ÿ’จ Do not leave an unattended vehicle running.

#VehicleTheft #TheftPrevention #SafetyTip #DriveSafe
See MoreSee Less

5 days ago

๐—”๐—ฐ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐˜€๐˜€ ๐— ๐˜† ๐——๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ธ
๐—•๐˜† ๐—ฆ๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ณ๐—ณ ๐—•๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐˜ ๐—ฃ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ

As we enter the third quarter of 2025, the Osage County Sheriffโ€™s Office continues making steady progress on critical infrastructure upgrades and operational improvements that enhance our ability to serve the citizens of Osage County.

At the Osage County Jail, we recently resolved a significant, long-standing plumbing issue in one of the inmate housing areas. With the support of the Osage County Commissioners, we completed this $30,000 repairโ€”eliminating a problem that had persisted for years. Additionally, weโ€™ve implemented a new RFID tracking system to streamline inmate checks, improving both accountability and safety within the facility.

In July, we entered into a new contract with Dr. Rumsey, a local physician, to provide inmate medical services. We believe this partnership will not only enhance the quality of care for those in custody but also be more cost-effective for the county.

Looking ahead, with approval from the County Commissioners, we will soon begin construction of a new 150-by-50-foot multipurpose facility. This building will provide long-term evidence storage and serve as a central hub for Osage County Emergency Management operations. Two-thirds of the structure will be dedicated to secure storage for evidence, with the remaining third supporting emergency management functions. This project was identified as a top priority early in my term. We anticipate completion by spring 2026, with the Sheriffโ€™s Office funding two-thirds of the project cost and Emergency Management covering the remainder.

On the patrol side, I am pleased to report that we are now operating at full staffing, with five deputies assigned to each 12-hour shift. This allows for improved patrol coverage and faster response times countywide.

Our School Resource Officer (SRO) program has also expanded significantly. We now have six SROs serving nine school districts. While most districts still share an SRO, weโ€™re proud to announce that starting this school year, the Shidler School District will receive full-time SRO coverage under a new agreement in which the district funds the salary during the academic year. We remain committed to expanding this program to enhance school safety across the county.

The investigations division continues to carry a demanding caseload involving major crimes, property crimes, and narcotics enforcement. While this workload has limited our capacity to fully revisit cold cases, we are actively working to move several of them forward. One area weโ€™ve identified for targeted improvement is the investigation of sex crimes. Beginning in August, we will assign a dedicated investigator to handle these cases exclusively, along with a full-time Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigator. This structure is a critical step toward more effectively addressing cases involving sexual predators and safeguarding our most vulnerable citizens. We are actively seeking grant funding and financial support to sustain these specialized roles.

Another important update, Osage County Dispatch has officially assumed responsibility for dispatching police, fire, and EMS services for the City of Pawhuska. This expansion was made possible through a new $100,000 annual contract agreement, further strengthening collaboration and emergency response capabilities.

As always, I remain committed to transparency, accountability, and meaningful progress. Iโ€™m proud of the dedication shown by every division within the Sheriffโ€™s Office. Thank you to the people of Osage County for your continued trust and support.

๐“ข๐“ฑ๐“ฎ๐“ป๐“ฒ๐“ฏ๐“ฏ ๐“‘๐“ช๐“ป๐“ฝ ๐“Ÿ๐“ฎ๐“ป๐“ป๐“ฒ๐“ฎ๐“ป
๐“ž๐“ผ๐“ช๐“ฐ๐“ฎ ๐“’๐“ธ๐“พ๐“ท๐“ฝ๐”‚ ๐“ข๐“ฑ๐“ฎ๐“ป๐“ฒ๐“ฏ๐“ฏโ€™๐“ผ ๐“ž๐“ฏ๐“ฏ๐“ฒ๐“ฌ๐“ฎ
See MoreSee Less

1 week ago
๐—”๐—ฐ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐˜€๐˜€ ๐— ๐˜† ๐——๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ธ
๐—•๐˜† ๐—ฆ๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ณ๐—ณ ๐—•๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐˜ ๐—ฃ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ

As we enter the third quarter of 2025, the Osage County Sheriffโ€™s Office continues making steady progress on critical infrastructure upgrades and operational improvements that enhance our ability to serve the citizens of Osage County.

At the Osage County Jail, we recently resolved a significant, long-standing plumbing issue in one of the inmate housing areas. With the support of the Osage County Commissioners, we completed this $30,000 repairโ€”eliminating a problem that had persisted for years. Additionally, weโ€™ve implemented a new RFID tracking system to streamline inmate checks, improving both accountability and safety within the facility.

In July, we entered into a new contract with Dr. Rumsey, a local physician, to provide inmate medical services. We believe this partnership will not only enhance the quality of care for those in custody but also be more cost-effective for the county.

Looking ahead, with approval from the County Commissioners, we will soon begin construction of a new 150-by-50-foot multipurpose facility. This building will provide long-term evidence storage and serve as a central hub for Osage County Emergency Management operations. Two-thirds of the structure will be dedicated to secure storage for evidence, with the remaining third supporting emergency management functions. This project was identified as a top priority early in my term. We anticipate completion by spring 2026, with the Sheriffโ€™s Office funding two-thirds of the project cost and Emergency Management covering the remainder.

On the patrol side, I am pleased to report that we are now operating at full staffing, with five deputies assigned to each 12-hour shift. This allows for improved patrol coverage and faster response times countywide.

Our School Resource Officer (SRO) program has also expanded significantly. We now have six SROs serving nine school districts. While most districts still share an SRO, weโ€™re proud to announce that starting this school year, the Shidler School District will receive full-time SRO coverage under a new agreement in which the district funds the salary during the academic year. We remain committed to expanding this program to enhance school safety across the county.

The investigations division continues to carry a demanding caseload involving major crimes, property crimes, and narcotics enforcement. While this workload has limited our capacity to fully revisit cold cases, we are actively working to move several of them forward. One area weโ€™ve identified for targeted improvement is the investigation of sex crimes. Beginning in August, we will assign a dedicated investigator to handle these cases exclusively, along with a full-time Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigator. This structure is a critical step toward more effectively addressing cases involving sexual predators and safeguarding our most vulnerable citizens. We are actively seeking grant funding and financial support to sustain these specialized roles.

Another important update, Osage County Dispatch has officially assumed responsibility for dispatching police, fire, and EMS services for the City of Pawhuska. This expansion was made possible through a new $100,000 annual contract agreement, further strengthening collaboration and emergency response capabilities.

As always, I remain committed to transparency, accountability, and meaningful progress. Iโ€™m proud of the dedication shown by every division within the Sheriffโ€™s Office. Thank you to the people of Osage County for your continued trust and support.

๐“ข๐“ฑ๐“ฎ๐“ป๐“ฒ๐“ฏ๐“ฏ ๐“‘๐“ช๐“ป๐“ฝ ๐“Ÿ๐“ฎ๐“ป๐“ป๐“ฒ๐“ฎ๐“ป
๐“ž๐“ผ๐“ช๐“ฐ๐“ฎ ๐“’๐“ธ๐“พ๐“ท๐“ฝ๐”‚ ๐“ข๐“ฑ๐“ฎ๐“ป๐“ฒ๐“ฏ๐“ฏโ€™๐“ผ ๐“ž๐“ฏ๐“ฏ๐“ฒ๐“ฌ๐“ฎ

๐Ÿš“๐ŸŽ“ Huge Congratulations to Lane Decker and RJ McCann! ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿ‘

Weโ€™re proud to recognize Lane and RJ on their graduation from the CLEET Basic Academy! Your commitment, discipline, and dedication to serving with integrity are truly commendable.

Youโ€™ve stepped up to take on a vital role in protecting and supporting our communities โ€” and we couldn't be prouder. Hereโ€™s to a future of strong leadership and honorable service.
See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago
๐Ÿš“๐ŸŽ“ Huge Congratulations to Lane Decker and RJ McCann! ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿ‘

Weโ€™re proud to recognize Lane and RJ on their graduation from the CLEET Basic Academy! Your commitment, discipline, and dedication to serving with integrity are truly commendable.

Youโ€™ve stepped up to take on a vital role in protecting and supporting our communities โ€” and we couldnt be prouder. Hereโ€™s to a future of strong leadership and honorable service.

Welcome to the 79th Annual Cavalcade Rodeo in Pawhuska!

The Osage County Sheriff's Office would like to welcome all contestants, spectators, and visitors to the world's largest amateur Cavalcade Rodeo! Cavalcade is a proud Osage County tradition, bringing spectators and visitors from all of the world to Pawhuska each year for a celebration of Western heritage and community spirit.

This week-long event features 9 exciting rodeo performances and 5 nights of red dirt music and dance under the starsโ€”a true showcase of the Old West and Oklahoma pride.

Our deputies will be on location throughout the week to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. As you celebrate, please be responsible. If you plan to drink, have a plan and a sober driver.

Letโ€™s make it a memorable, safe, and fun Cavalcade.
Sheriff Bart Perrier
See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago
Welcome to the 79th Annual Cavalcade Rodeo in Pawhuska! 

The Osage County Sheriffs Office would like to welcome all contestants, spectators, and visitors to the worlds largest amateur Cavalcade Rodeo! Cavalcade is a proud Osage County tradition, bringing spectators and visitors from all of the world to Pawhuska each year for a celebration of Western heritage and community spirit.

This week-long event features 9 exciting rodeo performances and 5 nights of red dirt music and dance under the starsโ€”a true showcase of the Old West and Oklahoma pride.

Our deputies will be on location throughout the week to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. As you celebrate, please be responsible. If you plan to drink, have a plan and a sober driver.

Letโ€™s make it a memorable, safe, and fun Cavalcade.
Sheriff Bart Perrier

OCSO monthly stats for June! See MoreSee Less

3 weeks ago
OCSO monthly stats for June!

๐‰๐จ๐ก๐ง ๐‹๐š๐ฒ๐ฆ๐š๐ง ๐๐ข๐ซ๐: ๐Ž๐ฌ๐š๐ ๐ž ๐‚๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒโ€™๐ฌ ๐…๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐’๐ก๐ž๐ซ๐ข๐Ÿ๐Ÿ ๐š๐ง๐ ๐…๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ž๐ซ ๐๐š๐ง๐ค๐ž๐ซ
Born: November 22, 1864, Rockport, Missouri
Died: January 1935, Pawhuska, Oklahoma

John Layman Bird was a pioneer of uncommon integrity whose legacy shaped the legal, commercial, and civic foundation of early Osage County, Oklahoma. As the countyโ€™s first elected sheriff, a successful frontier trader, and later a banking leader, Bird left behind a legacy of public trust, fair governance, and economic development that endured far beyond his time.

๐„๐š๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐‹๐ข๐Ÿ๐ž ๐š๐ง๐ ๐„๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐ˆ๐ง๐๐ข๐š๐ง ๐“๐ž๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ
Bird was born in Missouri just after the Civil War. In 1883, at the age of 18, he was encouraged by his brotherโ€”a physician working among the Kaw Nationโ€”to seek opportunity in Indian Territory. He soon found work as a clerk at a Kaw trading post, immersing himself in the diverse cultures and frontier economy of the region.

By January 1885, Bird had relocated to Pawhuska, where he worked with the respected trading firm Dunlap & Florer. Over time, he married the daughter of partner John N. Florer and became a business associate in the rebranded Florer & Bird, operating a general store in Gray Horse and managing a successful cattle ranch. His reputation for fairness and transparency won him lasting respect from both Native and non-Native residents.

๐’๐ก๐ž๐ซ๐ข๐Ÿ๐Ÿ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐Ž๐ฌ๐š๐ ๐ž ๐‚๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ
With statehood on the horizon in 1907, Bird announced his candidacy for Sheriff of Osage County as a Democrat. Already a respected businessman and civic leader, his reputation helped him win the confidence of voters across the sprawling and often unruly county.

Birdโ€™s election marked a crucial transition from territorial law enforcement to state-regulated justice. Known for measured judgment and a calm demeanor, Bird brought a sense of order that was sorely needed in the rough-and-tumble oil frontier.

A local newspaper endorsed him with these words:

โ€œNot one word can be said against John Bird. He is honest and fairโ€ฆ His presence in the sheriffโ€™s office will do more toward securing good order in Osage County than all the pistol toters that can be stacked in the office.โ€
Bird served as sheriff until 1909, when he voluntarily stepped down to pursue growing business interests in banking. Birdโ€™s predecessor as Osage County Sheriff was R.A. Carrell from 1910-1911.

๐๐š๐ง๐ค๐ข๐ง๐  ๐š๐ง๐ ๐‚๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐œ ๐‹๐ž๐š๐๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ
Birdโ€™s return to the private sector was no less impactful. In 1906, he helped found the Fairfax National Bank, serving as its first president. After his tenure as sheriff, he and his partners purchased the City National Bank of Pawhuska, where Bird served as vice president.

Through both institutions, he played a vital role in financing ranches, oil development, and local businesses during the early 20th-century boom. His leadership helped stabilize and grow the local economy during periods of rapid expansion and later, economic uncertainty.

๐“๐ก๐ž ๐“๐ซ๐ข๐š๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐ž ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ : ๐€ ๐•๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐š๐ฐ๐ก๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ค๐šโ€™๐ฌ ๐’๐ค๐ฒ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ž
One of Birdโ€™s most enduring contributions to Pawhuska was the development of the cityโ€™s first "skyscraper"โ€”the Triangle Building, currently operated as the Frontier Hotel.

In 1910, U.S. Indian Agent Hugh Pitzer advertised the sale of a triangular public plot at the heart of Pawhuska. Bird placed the winning bid of $12,500, acquiring the land between Main Street, Kihekah Avenue, and Osage Street. Despite legal disputes between federal and local authorities, Bird pressed forward with plans to erect a modern commercial building on the site.

By 1913, construction began, and by November 1914, the completed Triangle Building featured elevator service and five stories, two more than originally planned. The first floor housed retail shops, while professionals, including doctors and lawyers, occupied the upper floors. The building became a symbol of Pawhuskaโ€™s modernization and Birdโ€™s forward-thinking vision.

๐‹๐š๐ญ๐ž๐ซ ๐˜๐ž๐š๐ซ๐ฌ ๐š๐ง๐ ๐‹๐ž๐ ๐š๐œ๐ฒ
John L. Bird remained a central figure in Pawhuska's civic and business life until his death in January 1935 at the age of 70. In his later years, he lived in the basement apartment in the Triangle Buildingโ€”a structure that stood as a testament to his commitment to Osage Countyโ€™s future.
See MoreSee Less

3 weeks ago
๐‰๐จ๐ก๐ง ๐‹๐š๐ฒ๐ฆ๐š๐ง ๐๐ข๐ซ๐: ๐Ž๐ฌ๐š๐ ๐ž ๐‚๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒโ€™๐ฌ ๐…๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐’๐ก๐ž๐ซ๐ข๐Ÿ๐Ÿ ๐š๐ง๐ ๐…๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ž๐ซ ๐๐š๐ง๐ค๐ž๐ซ
Born: November 22, 1864, Rockport, Missouri
Died: January 1935, Pawhuska, Oklahoma

John Layman Bird was a pioneer of uncommon integrity whose legacy shaped the legal, commercial, and civic foundation of early Osage County, Oklahoma. As the countyโ€™s first elected sheriff, a successful frontier trader, and later a banking leader, Bird left behind a legacy of public trust, fair governance, and economic development that endured far beyond his time.

๐„๐š๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐‹๐ข๐Ÿ๐ž ๐š๐ง๐ ๐„๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐ˆ๐ง๐๐ข๐š๐ง ๐“๐ž๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ
Bird was born in Missouri just after the Civil War. In 1883, at the age of 18, he was encouraged by his brotherโ€”a physician working among the Kaw Nationโ€”to seek opportunity in Indian Territory. He soon found work as a clerk at a Kaw trading post, immersing himself in the diverse cultures and frontier economy of the region.

By January 1885, Bird had relocated to Pawhuska, where he worked with the respected trading firm Dunlap & Florer. Over time, he married the daughter of partner John N. Florer and became a business associate in the rebranded Florer & Bird, operating a general store in Gray Horse and managing a successful cattle ranch. His reputation for fairness and transparency won him lasting respect from both Native and non-Native residents.

๐’๐ก๐ž๐ซ๐ข๐Ÿ๐Ÿ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐Ž๐ฌ๐š๐ ๐ž ๐‚๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ
With statehood on the horizon in 1907, Bird announced his candidacy for Sheriff of Osage County as a Democrat. Already a respected businessman and civic leader, his reputation helped him win the confidence of voters across the sprawling and often unruly county.

Birdโ€™s election marked a crucial transition from territorial law enforcement to state-regulated justice. Known for measured judgment and a calm demeanor, Bird brought a sense of order that was sorely needed in the rough-and-tumble oil frontier.

A local newspaper endorsed him with these words:

โ€œNot one word can be said against John Bird. He is honest and fairโ€ฆ His presence in the sheriffโ€™s office will do more toward securing good order in Osage County than all the pistol toters that can be stacked in the office.โ€
Bird served as sheriff until 1909, when he voluntarily stepped down to pursue growing business interests in banking. Birdโ€™s predecessor as Osage County Sheriff was R.A. Carrell from 1910-1911.

๐๐š๐ง๐ค๐ข๐ง๐  ๐š๐ง๐ ๐‚๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐œ ๐‹๐ž๐š๐๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ
Birdโ€™s return to the private sector was no less impactful. In 1906, he helped found the Fairfax National Bank, serving as its first president. After his tenure as sheriff, he and his partners purchased the City National Bank of Pawhuska, where Bird served as vice president.

Through both institutions, he played a vital role in financing ranches, oil development, and local businesses during the early 20th-century boom. His leadership helped stabilize and grow the local economy during periods of rapid expansion and later, economic uncertainty.

๐“๐ก๐ž ๐“๐ซ๐ข๐š๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐ž ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ : ๐€ ๐•๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐š๐ฐ๐ก๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ค๐šโ€™๐ฌ ๐’๐ค๐ฒ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ž
One of Birdโ€™s most enduring contributions to Pawhuska was the development of the cityโ€™s first skyscraperโ€”the Triangle Building, currently operated as the Frontier Hotel.

In 1910, U.S. Indian Agent Hugh Pitzer advertised the sale of a triangular public plot at the heart of Pawhuska. Bird placed the winning bid of $12,500, acquiring the land between Main Street, Kihekah Avenue, and Osage Street. Despite legal disputes between federal and local authorities, Bird pressed forward with plans to erect a modern commercial building on the site.

By 1913, construction began, and by November 1914, the completed Triangle Building featured elevator service and five stories, two more than originally planned. The first floor housed retail shops, while professionals, including doctors and lawyers, occupied the upper floors. The building became a symbol of Pawhuskaโ€™s modernization and Birdโ€™s forward-thinking vision.

๐‹๐š๐ญ๐ž๐ซ ๐˜๐ž๐š๐ซ๐ฌ ๐š๐ง๐ ๐‹๐ž๐ ๐š๐œ๐ฒ
John L. Bird remained a central figure in Pawhuskas civic and business life until his death in January 1935 at the age of 70. In his later years, he lived in the basement apartment in the Triangle Buildingโ€”a structure that stood as a testament to his commitment to Osage Countyโ€™s future.
Load more