From Adair County Sheriff Josh Brockman:

I am writing this to share that I have filed my intention to retire effective 10/1/24. This was a difficult decision but I have been retiring for almost 3 years and have been putting it off and continuing to serve. There comes a point where you can’t ignore the issue. There comes a point where you are going backwards in your retirement and not forwards. My family has asked me to slow down and come home and that is what I plan to do. I will do my best to give them as much time back as I can because I have taken so much from them. I can only pray that the people of Adair County understand and feel that my family and I have given enough. I have served Adair County for 23 years as a police officer including almost 6 years as Sheriff. I have also served 13 years as a volunteer firefighter with the Columbia-Adair County Fire Department and 6 years as a part time EMT with Adair County EMS. In my heart I know I did the best I could. For some it will be enough, for others it won’t. I accept that. I’ve made a lot of mistakes throughout my career and sometimes I wish I could do this job again, but I’ve always done what I thought was right at the time. And that’s what I think is right at the moment.

I thank God for protecting me all these years and bringing me home every day. There have been some close calls, but His hand has always been upon me. I thank my wife Amy and my three sons Leighton, Gavin and Camden for supporting me and understanding the sacrifices this job requires. I thank you, the people, for allowing me to serve. I thank you for all your support and thank you to all my co-workers. You are the best anyone could ask for. Your loyalty to me during hard times is unmatched.

The sheriff’s office is struggling with problems and I have brought it to the attention of the fiscal court to try to resolve some of these issues such as retention, deputies’ pay and equipment. I would ask the public to give the judges time to consider what they can do to perhaps resolve some of these issues. These are not overnight solutions. They have always worked with me and I feel that now that these issues have come to light, they can work to resolve them.

Thank you and God bless Adair County. I love you.

Sheriff Josh Brockman