Sheriff AJ Carrel

04/08/2026

To the Citizens of Clinton County,

On behalf of our entire team, I want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who took the time to head to the polls and cast their vote.

While the Justice Center tax did not pass, we are deeply grateful for the engagement and civic participation shown by our community. Your voice is the foundation of how we operate, and we respect the decision made by the voters.

Moving Forward Together
Our commitment to the safety and well-being of Clinton County remains unchanged. As we look toward the future, here is our promise to you:

We will continue to provide the highest level of service and professional care possible with our current resources.

We are dedicated to finding creative, efficient ways to maintain our operations and address our needs within our existing budget.

We won’t stop planning for the future. We remain focused on long-term solutions that ensure our county stays safe, modern, and resilient.

We are proud to serve this community and look forward to continuing our work together. Thank you for your ongoing support and for being an active part of Clinton County’s future.

AJ Carrel, Sheriff

04/05/2026

We are just 2 days away! Please SHARE & VOTE YES🗳️✔️

03/31/2026

Our community is at a crossroads. As your Sheriff, my top priority is the safety of our citizens and the men and women who work within our walls. We need you!

Currently, our facility is facing significant safety concerns and is a money pit. It is no longer just a building; it is a dangerous environment for our staff to operate in every day.

I along with 9 other elected officials are asking you to consider the 1/4 cent sales tax on the upcoming ballot April 7th!

What does this look like for you?

• It adds just 25 cents to a $100 purchase.

• It is not a property tax!

• This small investment allows us to build a facility that meets modern safety standards and be in compliance with state and federal regulations.

• It moves Clinton County toward a safer, more secure future.

If you haven’t made up your mind, I invite you to see the situation for yourself. We are still offering tours of the current facility. See the reality our staff faces and ask the questions you need answered before you head to the polls.

Contact Myself, Major Hamner, or Lt. Meierer at 816-539-2156

Let’s move Clinton County forward. Vote YES for the Justice Center!

03/28/2026

Yard signs for the Justice Center have arrived!!! If you would want one please send me a message with an address!

Thank You for the support!

03/08/2026

My team is the best around! We always have a great time at this event! We will continue working hard to be leaders in our communities and great neighbors!

03/07/2026

02/24/2026

As I sit here this morning my heart aches for all those affected by this tragic loss of life in Christian County. My heart goes out to the brave men and women of this agency the deputies families, the citizens and the Webster County deputy who has to recover.

This individual shouldn’t have been on the street with a past such as his. Now two families will forever have a void, a loss, a loss of life they will never be able to see again.

I ask that you keep these families, agencies, and communities in your thoughts and prayers as they begin to plan for the loss of 2 heroes and help build a recovery path for the 2 injured deputies.

Rest in peace heroes we have it from here….

02/17/2026

I have been following the recent coverage in The Leader Post over the past week, and I appreciate the opportunity to provide clarity and context regarding the proposed jail project.

My goal is to ensure our citizens have the facts as we work together to address a long-standing challenge in our community.

Addressing the Key Points

• Design & Aesthetics: We understand the importance of a cohesive look for our county buildings. The architecture team has designed the new addition with a modern, clean roofline intended to complement the existing structure as much as possible. While we are working within the footprint of a 1970s design, our focus is on professional integration and functional longevity.

• Fiscal Responsibility & Revenue: To be clear, we are not in the "hotel business." However, we are in the business of fiscal oversight. If we have available bed space, it is our responsibility to utilize it to generate revenue, which directly offsets costs for Clinton County taxpayers.

• Safe & Proper Release Protocols: Public safety is my priority. Under my administration, we ensure that only those who allegedly committed crimes within Clinton County are released here.
We have corrected past practices where outside municipal agencies were releasing individuals onto our streets; we now strictly enforce contracts that require inmates to be returned to their original jurisdictions.

• Budget & Taxes: I am committed to lean operations. I am proud to share that the Sheriff’s Office returned $115,000 to the General Revenue fund from our 2025 budget. I will continue to find ways to cut unnecessary spending and reduce the financial burden on our citizens.

A Proven Need, Not a Want
For over 20 years, Clinton County has sought a solution for our correctional facility. We have exhausted every other alternative:

• Regional Jail Proposals: Not feasible.

• Large-Scale Facilities (150+ beds): Unsuccessful.

• Outsourcing Inmates: Cost-prohibitive for the taxpayer.

• Relocation: Met with consistent community opposition.

What we are presenting now is not a "want" it is a critical need. This proposal represents the most fiscally responsible and practical solution available to us after decades of trial and error.

See for Yourself
Transparency is vital. I invite any citizen who is undecided or curious to schedule a walk-through tour of our current facility. Seeing the state of the building firsthand is the best way to understand why this project is so urgent.

I would also like to thank The Leader and Citizens Observer for taking interest in this matter for our community. This is a direct example of Strong Partnerships Make Stronger Communities!

Thank you for your time, your consideration, and your continued support of the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.

Respectfully,
AJ Carrel
Sheriff, Clinton County

    Online Edition Print Edition The Leader in your mailbox each week. Can’t wait for the news? Follow us on Facebook The Clinton County Leader updated their status. 2 weeks ago ... See MoreSee Less This content isn't available right nowWhen this happens, it's usually because the owner only shar...