Bismarck Police Department

03/25/2026

*****PRESS RELEASE*****

On March 23rd, 2026, at approximately 0045 hours, the Bismarck Police Department was dispatched to the 500 block of South Cedar Street for a report of shots fired and a subject possibly shot. Deputies from the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to assist.

The victim fled for safety and was located in Iron County by Iron County Deputies. During the course of the investigation, a white male identified as Joshua Hoar was taken into custody and transported to the St. Francois County Jail and placed on a 24-hour hold pending a warrant. The victim was not struck by a bullet; however, the victim's vehicle was struck.

The following day, a warrant was issued by the St. Francois County Courts. Hoar was formally charged with Assault 1st degree or Attempted-Felony, Armed Criminal Action-Felony, Discharge/Shoot Firearm at or from a Motor Vehicle/Person, Another Motor Vehicle, or Building/Habitable Structure-Persistent Offender-Felony, Armed Criminal Action-Felony, and Property Damage 1st Degree-Felony. Bond was set at $100,000.00 Cash or Surety.

The Bismarck Police Department would like to thank the following: St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office, St. Francois County 911 Center, and the Iron County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the incident.

Chief LaHay #601

03/25/2026

*****PRESS RELEASE*****

On March 13th, 2026, the Bismarck Police Department investigated a theft of Union Pacific Railroad property. Witnesses identified a U-Haul rental vehicle being used in the theft.

On March 15th, 2026, the U-Haul was located in the 1100 Block of West Main Street. Probable Cause was established to search the residence. Assisted by the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office, Park Hills Police Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the residence was searched. Hiding inside the residence were Misty Hicks, Jon Ayers, and Timothy Reed. Hicks was hiding in a closet in a bedroom, Ayers was in a different closet in another bedroom and was located by the Sheriff’s Office K-9, and Reed was in a hidden compartment in the attic.

All three subjects were arrested for the following warrants:

Hicks-Multiple Bismarck Municipal warrants, and also received a no-bond Missouri Probation and Parole warrant for violating her probation status, due to being arrested.

Ayers-Had a Bismarck Municipal warrant and a no-bond Missouri Probation and Parole violation warrant out of Franklin County Felony.

Reed-Had an Iron County warrant for Stealing-Felony, and an Absconder warrant through the Missouri Probation and Parole Felony.

All subjects were transported to the St. Francois County Jail. The following day, Reed was returned to the custody of the Missouri State Department of Corrections.

The Bismarck Police Department would like to thank the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office and K-9 Unit, the Park Hills Police Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Thank you,
Chief LaHay #601

03/03/2026

City of Bismarck Officially Receives Missouri Blue Shield Designation

Bismarck – Today, City of Bismarck received official word from the Missouri Department of Public Safety that we have earned the Missouri Blue Shield designation for 2026. This honor recognizes Missouri communities that demonstrate their commitment to enhancing public safety, investing in and supporting law enforcement and building partnerships between law enforcement and our community.

The Missouri Blue Shield Program was created by Governor Kehoe in January 2025 through Executive Order 25-03. In 2025, 201 Missouri communities earned the Blue Shield designation, recognizing local governments’ significant efforts to reduce crime and foster law enforcement – community partnerships to strengethen public safety. The opportunity to earn the Blue Shield designation for 2026 opened on February 4, 2026. 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,” Governor 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 the City of Bismarch, that have answered the Blue Shield challenge,” said Mark James, Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS). “Last year, the essential equipment provided by Blue Shield grants included 388 mobile data terminals, 351 body cameras, 151 license plate readers (LPR), 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.”

Eligibility and Program Details:

Communities are eligible for a Missouri Blue Shield designation based on their dedication to reducing crime, making substantial investments in public safety, and developing strong collaboration with law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders. Each participating community’s commitment is reviewed annually to ensure continued alignment with the program’s goals.

Participation Incentives:

Communities that earn a Missouri Blue Shield designation will receive grant funding for law enforcement training and equipment as part of Governor Kehoe’s Recommended Budget for the State Fiscal Year 2027, provided the General Assembly approves the funding. The Governor’s FY 2027 budget appropriated $10 million to the program for equipment and training grants. Communities will also be featured on Governor Kehoe’s social media pages as well as the DPS website to highlight their participation in the program.

About Bismarck:

City of Bismarck earned a Missouri Blue Shield designation because of its exceptional commitment to public safety. Through retention bonus and increasing hourly wage to complete with resounding agencies, partnering with local business to better the community and strenghten the infrastructure of the city. The community has demonstrated a strong and ongoing commitment to protecting its residents. This designation affirms City of Bismarck’s effort to create a safer, more secure environment for all who live and work here.

02/24/2026

The Bismarck Police Department extends our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deputies who tragically lost their lives in Christian County.

Today, we stand in solemn solidarity with the entire Christian County law enforcement community. The loss of a deputy is felt far beyond the boundaries of one agency—it is a loss to the entire law enforcement family and the communities we are sworn to serve.

We honor their courage, dedication, and unwavering commitment to protecting others. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Please join us in keeping their loved ones and fellow deputies in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.

02/17/2026

*****PRESS RELEASE*****

On February 15th, 2026, at approximately 1240 hours, an Officer from the Bismarck Police Department was dispatched to the 1200 block of Spruce Street for a report of a disturbance with shots fired. While enroute, the 911 center received several more calls in reference to the report of shots being fired. When the primary Officer arrived on the scene, contact was made with a male identified as Randy Jackson. The Officer was able to visibly identify Jackson from previous investigations and knew that Jackson had an active arrest warrant. Jackson was also the main suspect in previous investigations of shots being fired in the neighborhood.

Jackson was given commands and informed that he was under arrest and fled back into the residence. Deputies from the St. Francois County Sheriffs' Office and Troopers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrived and set up a perimeter around the residence. Jackson was given commands with a police vehicle's public announcement system and instructed to exit the residence. A short time later, Jackson complied and exited the residence and was taken into custody without any further incident. Jackson was transported to the St. Francois County Jail.

Two other occupants of the residence, one being a small child, were safely evacuated. A search warrant was applied for and issued by the St. Francois County Courts, and it was served. Evidence was collected at the scene, probable cause was established, and an arrest warrant was issued the following day. Jackson’s charges are Harassment-Felony, Armed Criminal Action-Felony, Unlawful Use of a Weapon-Felony, and Resisting Interfering with Arrest/Detention-Felony. Jackson’s bond was set at $250,000.00.

The Bismarck Police Department would like to thank the St. Francois County Joint Communications Center-911, St. Francois County Sheriffs' Office, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol for their on-scene assistance. We would also like to thank the St. Francois County Prosecutors' Office for their speedy review and issuance of the search and arrest warrant.

Chief Scott LaHay
Bismarck Police Department

11/25/2025

Currently in the pound: His name is buddy. He has a QR code, very friendly and has a collar. Let us know you if are or know the pups owner.

11/25/2025

11/05/2025

10/04/2025

This pup was found in the area 1005 Mulberry Street. Please contact us if he is yours. 573-431-3131

08/01/2025

***Press Release***

On July 30th, 2025, Officers from the Bismarck Police Department responded to a burglary with a Firearm in the 500 block of Odell Avenue. When officers arrived in the area, a foot pursuit
began, and the suspect was later identified as Ronald Lee Cole, Jr. of Bismarck. Officers pursued Cole through several yards, and Cole forced entry into two more residences during the pursuit, hiding in a residence in the Sherwood neighborhood. During the burglaries, Cole pointed a stolen firearm at two different residents at two other homes and stole another firearm from one of the victims. Before the Officers' arrival, Cole also broke into outbuildings and vehicles, causing damage.

With assistance from a resident and Deputies and K-9 Units from the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office and a K-9 Unit from the Park Hills Police Department, entry was made into the residence where Cole was hiding and taken into custody.

Cole was transported to the St. Francois County Jail. The following day, the St. Francois County Courts issued a warrant on Cole for Burglary in the 1st Degree-Felony, Burglary in the 2nd Degree-Felony, Resisting Arrest-Felony, Stealing a Firearm-Felony, Receiving Stolen Property-Felony, two Counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon-Felony, Possession of Burglary Tools-Felony, and Property Damage in the 2nd Degree, Misdemeanor. Bond on the warrant was set a
$100,000.00 Cash or Surety.

The Missouri Department of Corrections Division of Probation and
Parole also supervises Cole for prior criminal convictions. They also issued a no-bond warrant for probation/parole violations.

The Bismarck Police Department is thankful that no citizen was hurt by Cole during this criminal incident. This incident was spread over several blocks. This is an ongoing investigation
with victims still coming forward.

We want to thank the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office, Deputies, and K-9 Division, along with the Park Hills Police Department K-9 Division, for their assistance.

Thank you,
Chief LaHay #601