McKenzie County Sheriff's Office

06/12/2026

❗️Update Friday, June 12,2026 5:00pm
ROAD OPEN❗️

🚧 ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE 🚧

County Rd. 16 at 35th St NW and 149th is currently closed due to a motor vehicle crash.

Traffic traveling east is being redirected to 149th.

Please avoid the area.

We will update this post once the roadway is back open.

06/11/2026

Supervisors everywhere felt this one in their soul

06/10/2026

🚨 WARRANT WEDNESDAY 🚨

The McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office is asking for your help in locating the individual pictured below.

This individual currently has four active warrants for:
👉 Failure to Appear on the original charge of DUI, and DUI refusal
👉 Failure to Appear on the original charge of Criminal Trespass
👉 Failure to Appear on the original charge of Driving Under Suspension
👉 Criminal Mischief- Willful- Damage- Intentional

If you have any information on their whereabouts, please contact the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office at 📞 701-842-6010, text 847411, or through the NDTip app.

⚠️ Do not approach or attempt to apprehend this individual.

Your information can make a difference in keeping our community safe.

06/09/2026

❗️Update- 9:00pm Tornado watch has been canceled❗️
Keep an eye on the sky! Make sure you have a shelter plan in place- just in case. Stay safe out there 💨

(9 PM CDT UPDATE: Conditions are improving west of US 83, and the threat has passed Bismarck, Minot, Dickinson, and Williston! A few tornadoes remain possible in eastern ND later this evening)
The NWS has issued a Tornado Watch for much of western ND, effective through midnight tonight. Widespread damaging winds and a few tornadoes are possible over the next few hours.

06/09/2026

🚧Construction Zone Safety Reminder 🚧

We all know Highway 85 is one of the most heavily traveled roads in our county, and once construction is complete, the four lane expansion will be a tremendous improvement for everyone who relies on it. Until then, drivers need to slow down and stay alert through the construction area.

This past weekend, in just a matter of hours, our deputies issued multiple citations for speeding in the active work zone, including one driver traveling 38 mph over the posted speed limit. These speeds are extremely dangerous in an area with narrowed lanes, shifting traffic patterns, and crews working just feet away.

With summer construction season underway, motorists are reminded to obey posted speed limits, pay attention to signage, and watch for workers and equipment.

Everyone plays a role in keeping our road crews – and each other- safe.

06/09/2026

📊 Your weekly look at what the McKenzie County Sheriff's Office has been up to!
📌 One important note: Our Communications Team dispatches for BOTH the McKenzie County Sheriff's Office AND the Watford City Police Department. The number reflected at the bottom of the graphic represents the total Calls For Service for both agencies. All other stats listed are specific to the McKenzie County Sheriff's Office only.

06/07/2026

McKenzie County Residents: Please stay weather-aware as conditions may change quickly. Follow updates from the US National Weather Service Bismarck North Dakota, KX News, KFYR-TV , and McKenzie County Emergency Management for the latest information.
If you need a safe place to stay, contact McKenzie County Communications Center at (701) 444-3654 for the nearest available shelter.

06/05/2026

🚫 Scam Alert: Caller Pretending to Be Law Enforcement
We’ve received reports of an individual calling residents, claiming to be a law enforcement officer from the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office. The caller provides a name and badge number and then tells the person they must send money immediately or a warrant will be issued for their arrest.
These calls are fake.
What to Know
• Our office will never call and demand money.
• We do not request payment over the phone, by text, or through electronic apps.
• We will not threaten arrest if you don’t pay.
• Badge numbers, names and caller ID’s can be spoofed — scammers often make it look like the call is coming from our office to appear legitimate and often use real information to sound legitimate
If You Receive This Call
• Hang up immediately.
• Do not send money.
• Do not provide personal information.
If you have received one of these calls or believe you may have fallen victim to this scam, please contact the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office at (701) 444 3654 and choose option 1.
Your awareness helps protect our community. Stay safe and share this information with others.

06/04/2026

📢 On June 2, 2026, the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip regarding a male residing in McKenzie County who had an active warrant out of the State of Montana.

On June 3, 2026, our Deputy made contact with the individual. He was taken into custody without incident and is currently lodged in the McKenzie County Correctional Facility, awaiting extradition proceedings to Montana.

We want to thank the community member who submitted this information.
Your tips — always anonymous — help us respond quickly and keep McKenzie County safe. When you see something, sharing that information truly makes a difference.