Morgan County Sheriff's Department

05/12/2026

05/08/2026

Reminder to Drivers and Riders: Share the Road, Save Lives

CHARLESTON, WV — The West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP), in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is calling on drivers and riders to commit to sharing the road through safe driving and riding practices and by recognizing that Motorcyclists’ Safety Is Everyone’s Safety.
“Road safety for motorcyclists should be a concern and priority for every road user. Every year, a disproportionate number of motorcyclists are involved in traffic fatalities,” said Jack McNeely, Director of the GHSP. “These fatalities can be prevented through consistent safe behavior from both drivers and riders,” McNeely added.
According to the latest NHTSA data, from 2024, 6,228 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes, representing 15% of all the traffic fatalities. Motorcyclists are nearly 27 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash and 5 times more likely to be injured compared to passenger car occupants. Speed and alcohol impairment are the leading contributors in fatalities among motorcycle riders. Of the motorcyclists who were involved in fatal crashes, 37% were speeding, and 35% of operators involved in fatal crashes were riding without a valid motorcycle license or endorsement. Of the motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes, 40% were alcohol-impaired.
In West Virginia, there were 38 motorcyclists killed in crashes in 2024, 10 (26%) of which involved riders not wearing a helmet.
For drivers, following all of the usual safe driving tips to keep yourself safe on the road, can also help to keep motorcyclists safe:
• Avoid driving while impaired, distracted, or drowsy.
• Obey posted speed limits and adjust for varying road, weather, and lighting conditions.
• Be aware of your surroundings, including any motorcycles or other vehicles around you.
• Check your mirrors before changing lanes. Look twice.
• Use your turn signal to indicate that you are changing lanes.
• Never run a red light or stop sign.
Motorcyclists practicing these easy safety steps can potentially save lives:
• Wear protective clothing and DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets.
• Ride sober.
• Observe all traffic laws.
• Obey the speed limit.
• Ride defensively.
• Avoid distractions while driving.
Additionally, hands-on motorcycle rider education provides dynamic riding skills and builds rider confidence. Completing such training is essential and may provide insurance discounts while easing the path to obtaining a motorcycle license. Visit https://wv-msp.org/ for more information.
NHTSA leads efforts to increase helmet use nationwide and estimates that the use of DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets among motorcyclists increased to 73.8% in 2023 from 66.5% in 2022.
Motorcyclists can learn how to identify a safe, DOT-compliant helmet at NHTSA.gov/Motorcycles.
For more information about the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program, please visit highwaysafety.wv.gov.

Earn Your West Virginia Motorcycle LicenseProgram OverviewBecome a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Certified RiderCoachProgram Overview Previous slide Next slide Earn Your West Virginia Motorcycle License New to riding? Taking the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic RiderCourse will introduce you t...

04/26/2026

📣Shout out to the Morgan County Sheriff's Department for their donation of the Nintendo Switch to the after prom party prizes.

🚓 Our Sheriffs Department is a lead sponsor in helping keep kids safe the night of prom. 🚨

This event is more than just a celebration—it’s a safe space for our students to enjoy one of the most memorable nights of the year while making responsible choices. Prom night can also come with serious risks, especially when it comes to impaired and distracted driving. Too often, lives are changed in an instant due to preventable decisions.

By supporting the After Prom Party, we’re helping create an environment that keeps our youth safe, reduces the dangers of drunk driving, and encourages smart, responsible behavior.

We’re incredibly grateful for community partners like the Sheriff’s Department who invest in the well-being of our students. 🤗

💙If you or your organization are looking for a meaningful way to give back, we invite you to join us in supporting this important effort. Together, we can make a difference and help ensure a safe and memorable prom night for all.💛

04/22/2026

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Deputy Reserve Ernie Truax, who passed away last night. Ernie spent most of his spare time helping Morgan County residents and riding alongside deputies, serving as a mentor to many young deputies and leaving a lasting impression. Volunteers like him are hard to find. Rest easy, Deputy Reserve Truax; we will take it from here.

04/03/2026

The Sheriff’s Office will be closing at 12 p.m. today for Good Friday. Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter Weekend!

04/01/2026

We are Hiring!!

03/26/2026

Mike and Nancy Pearce of Kesecker Realty generously donated backpacks to the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office to assist deputies when they encounter a child with autism. The backpacks contain items that a child can choose from to help comfort and calm them during an interaction with law enforcement. We are very thankful to have these bags in several of our cruisers as another tool to better serve and support the public.

Please see the video in the comment that inspired this idea.

01/25/2026

The administrative office will be closed tomorrow Monday, January 26, 2026 due to the inclement weather.