Winnebago County, Iowa Sheriff's Office

04/08/2026

🚨 SCAM ALERT 🚨
DO NOT FALL VICTIM TO IMPERSONATORS!
The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office is issuing an alert regarding active phone scams targeting local residents. Scammers are impersonating law enforcement officers to steal money and personal information.
🛑 THE SCAM: HOW THEY GET YOU
The Call: You receive a phone call from someone claiming to be a Sergeant, Lieutenant, or Chief from the Sheriff’s Office or any other Local or Federal Law Enforcement.
The Lie: They claim you have an outstanding warrant, missed jury duty, or owe fines.
The Threat: They threaten immediate arrest unless you pay immediately.
The Payment: They demand payment via gift cards, Bitcoin, wire transfers, or digital apps.
The Technique: They use real names of Sheriff’s staff and spoof phone numbers to make it look like the call is coming from the official Sheriff's office.
⚠️ WHAT OUR OFFICE WILL NEVER DO
NEVER call you to demand money over the phone.
NEVER ask for payment to clear a warrant.
NEVER ask for bank info, SSN, or gift card numbers.
NEVER threaten immediate arrest over the phone.
✅ WHAT TO DO IF YOU RECEIVE A SUSPICIOUS CALL
HANG UP IMMEDIATELY. Do not engage.
DO NOT send money or provide personal info.
DO NOT call back the number they provide.
VERIFY: Call the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office directly using the official number: 641-585-2828
If you were targeted, file a report with us at our non-emergency number.

04/06/2026

ISSDAI directly supports all 99 county sheriff’s offices across the state of Iowa.
They help to coordinate and provide training opportunities that help keep Iowa and its citizens safe and our association strong.
Thank you!
WCSO Sheriff Steve Hepperly

The Iowa State Sheriffs’ & Deputies' Association Institute is looking for new members and invites the citizens of Iowa to join us in supporting this important mission.

This program provides Iowans the opportunity to become Honorary Members and directly support local sheriffs by helping fund critical training and resources for sheriffs, deputies, jailers, and staff. Your membership also helps invest in the future of Iowa’s law enforcement families through education with the ISSDA Evelyn Covington Scholarship, while supporting youth programs and Special Olympics Iowa.

If you are not currently an Honorary Member, we encourage you to join today and be part of this important effort.

👉 Join today: https://give.issda.org/join/

Together, we are supporting Iowa’s Sheriffs, strengthening communities, and empowering the next generation.

03/23/2026

Winnebago County is accepting Applications for a Jailer position.

03/15/2026

Information that we have received is that DOT state snowplows were/are out and having difficulty pushing this heavy, wet snow. County snowplows are clearing HARD SURFACE county roads only today while visibility allows.
Interstate 35 will be closing this afternoon from Ames, Iowa to the Minnesota border and it appears MN DOT will be closing I-35 as well. As REO Speedwagon might say- Stay home and ride the storm out - wait to travel until after the plows have been out! Thank you. Thank you very much.

03/14/2026

WEATHER UPDATE

03/12/2026

OKAY FOLKS- PLEASE READ AND HEED THIS POST FROM OUR WINNEBAGO COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. THEY HAVE EVER INCREASING CONFIDENCE THAT THIS STORM WILL INCREASE IN SEVERITY OVER THE COURSE OF THE WEEKEND AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR VERY LARGE SNOWFALL AMOUNTS IN OUR AREA TO OCCUR. THIS, ALONG WITH THE FORECASTED SUSTAINED AND VERY HIGH WIND GUSTS WILL ONCE AGAIN MAKE FOR VERY TREACHEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.
IF THE WEATHER DICTATES NO TRAVEL, PLEASE DON’T. IF TOW TRUCKS, EMS, SQUAD CARS, SNOWPLOWS, AND ALL OTHER EMERGENCY VEHICLES CANNOT NAVIGATE, OR IT IS UNSAFE TO BE OUT ON PATROLS AND YOU BECOME STRANDED, YOU MAY HAVE TO RIDE OUT THE STORM IN YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS SAFE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS TO COME TO YOUR AID SHOULD YOU ATTEMPT TO VENTURE OUT.
WCSO WILL KEEP OUR FACEBOOK PAGE UPDATED AS BEST WE ARE ABLE. BE SAFE. BE SMART. BE PREPARED.

WINTER STORM WATCH

The National Weather Service just released their first weather product regarding the weather Saturday into Sunday. As of right now they are predicting heavy snow and blizzard conditions with total snow greater than 6 inches and winds in excess of 50 mph. This has prompted the Winter Storm Watch for our area. It will likely be upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning or Blizzard Warning as we get through the day Saturday if not before.

The concerning forecast for our area comes directly from the NWS point forecast that I look at daily. From what they are showing we could see greater than 12-13 inches. Regardless of how much it will be wet and heavy and will likely hang around through much of next week. If your interested in looking at this site for yourself you can click on this link: https://www.weather.gov/forecastpoints and click on your area.

Travel will likely become dangerous most of Sunday so make plans accordingly now to either stay put or get home ahead of this system

03/12/2026

Mother Nature is throwing another punch of inclement weather our way tomorrow and this weekend. Sustained high winds may cause damage to property and make driving difficult.
Preliminary weather forecasts are calling for a possibility of several inches of snowfall for our area this weekend.
Stay weather aware.

02/18/2026

*RED FLAG FIRE WARNING*

02/15/2026

🍪DITTO!🍪

🚨 PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

We have been made aware of highly addictive substances that will soon be arriving in our area. These substances go by street names such as “Thin Mints,” “Samoas,” “Tagalongs,” and “S’mores.” 🤪

These items are distributed by strong, smart, fearless young women 👧💪 who will lure you in with compelling good cause stories and before you know it, you’re hooked.

Your local Sheriff’s Office is willing to step between you and these dangerously delicious substances. If you somehow find yourself snookered into purchasing one or more of these items, feel free to bring them to the Sheriff’s Office, where one of our certified cookie sampling Deputies will ensure they are disposed of safely and responsibly. 🍪

Support the cause.
Stay vigilant.

02/15/2026

WCSO administrative office will be closed on Monday, February 16th in observance of the President’s Day holiday. 🇺🇸

02/05/2026

Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office is excited to announce the release of our free smartphone app. Designed to keep users informed and connected to their community, the app provides instant access to important alerts, updates, and essential resources right at your fingertips. Staying informed has never been easier.

When you install the App make sure to allow notifications.