Sheriff’s Office

The Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to maintaining public safety and providing law enforcement services. The office is responsible for patrolling the county’s roadways, ensuring the safety of residents in both urban and rural areas. The Sheriff’s Office handles a variety of duties, including community outreach programs, emergency response, criminal investigations, the registration of sex offenders and other individuals required by law to register with local authorities. The Sheriff also manages all inmates arrested in Howard County.

The Sheriff is responsible for coordinating responses to incidents and disseminating important information to the public. The office is equipped with trained Deputies and specialized units, such as narcotics detection dogs, to address specific challenges like drug trafficking. Through continuous training and community engagement, the Sheriff’s Office strives to enhance the quality of life for all residents by ensuring a safe and secure environment. In addition to law enforcement responsibilities, the Sheriff oversees the Howard County Communications Center.

Office Services

• Title inspections: $10.00 fee; If offsite $20.00 fee
  You will need to park in the north parking lot (unless you have a large semi, they can be parked along the street to the west of the courthouse)
  Please bring the original title and the vehicle in order for us to complete the inspection.
• Handgun purchase permits: $5.00 fee
  You must apply in the county you reside in, you also must have a current drivers license
• Fingerprinting: $10.00 fee
  By appointment only
• Civil service: $30.00 deposit for all private service. Regular vendors may be billed after service
• Execution warrants: a deposit is required and is based off the total judgement.
• Accident reports/ sheriff reports:  $10.00 fee

The Sheriff Office handles all report requests.  Please call 308-754-5433 or email hcso@howardcountyso.org for any report requests.
Fees paid to the Sheriff office must be Check or Cash only

Communications Center

The Dispatch Center includes Chief Dispatcher Paxton and five dispatchers.

The Howard County Communications Center handles emergency and non-emergency calls in Howard County. The Center dispatches for the Howard County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, Nancy County Sheriff Office, 12 fire departments and 11 Rescue teams. The Center also works closely with other agencies outside of Howard County.

Howard County Communications Center Mission Statement

We at the Howard County Communications Center strive to serve the community on every crime, fire and medical emergency. 

We are committed to answering all 911 and non-emergency calls with professionalism, integrity and compassion. 

We are dedicated to providing assistance to the public in their time of need. 

Always there, Always ready.