On September 29, 2001 at approximately 8:00 AM while patrolling US Hwy. 67 just north of Leadington Missouri, Deputy Steven R. Ziegler, Officer 989 of the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department, was involved in a serious vehicle accident that resulted in his death.

Steve was south bound in the passing lane of the highway.  At the same time a vehicle pulling a 16 foot utility trailer was in the driving lane of the north bound lanes of the highway.  The trailer became unattached, crossed the passing lane and median of north bound hwy. 67 into the pathway of the patrol car.   Steve was unable to safely maneuver his patrol unit from danger without colliding with other traffic.  The trailer struck his patrol car in the left front driver’s  side, causing it to spin out of control.  Eventually both vehicles came to rest in the median, with the trailer coming to rest on top of the patrol car.

Deputy Ziegler was transported to the Mineral Area Regional Hospital and then immediately flown to St. John’s Mercy Medical in St. Louis, where on September 30, 2001, at the age of 32, he passed away as a result of his injuries.

Steve had worked for the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department for 8 years and during most that time he was a Field Training Officer.  He also worked for the Bismarck Police Department as a Patrolman.  His dedication and work in the Law Enforcement community was admired by all.

Our friend and fellow officer left behind a wife, Racheal Lea Ziegler, a 13 year old son Eric, a 9 year old daughter Loren, a 3 year old daughter Madison, a 18 month old son Cole and countless other friends and acquaintances.  He will be truly missed.

Deputy Sheriff Paul Clark died from complications of injuries sustained on October 27th, 2015, when he was intentionally struck by a stolen vehicle near Desloge, Missouri.

He had conducted a traffic stop of a second vehicle on Highway 67, near Highway Y, and was attempting to identify the occupants. Deputy Clark asked one of the occupants who was unable to produce identification to walk back to his police car with him. The man suddenly jumped into a truck that was parked nearby and attempted to flee.

The man swerved towards Deputy Clark, striking him and throwing him several feet into a ditch on the shoulder of the road. The man, who was wanted on a federal probation violation warrant, was arrested after leading other officers on a pursuit.

Deputy Clark suffered a broken back as a result of the incident. He suffered complications as a result of the injury and died at home on July 4th, 2016. Deputy Clark had served with the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department for 13 years and had previously served with the Park Hills Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife, two children, and grandchildren.