Wheetley ready for his new role as sheriff

SIKESTON — Derick Wheetley is set to take the reins as Scott County’s new sheriff on Jan. 1, bringing his extensive experience from the Sikeston Department of Public Safety to the forefront of local law enforcement.

Wheetley, a Benton, Missouri native, graduated from Thomas W. Kelly High School in 2002. His law enforcement career began as a jailer at the Scott County Jail. Wheetley has been with Sikeston DPS for nearly 20 years, having graduated from the SEMO Law Enforcement Academy in 2005 and starting as an officer in April of that year.

In 2007, Wheetley received training in both police and fire services, and he was promoted to Sikeston’s first Housing Authority Officer, a position he held for three years. He then advanced to sergeant for nine years, lieutenant for four years, and concluded his tenure with over four years as a captain and DPS Fire Division Commander.

Wheetley said his late grandfather was his inspiration for becoming sheriff. 

“My great-grandfather, John Dennis, was sheriff for Scott County from, I believe, 1951 to 1976,” Wheetley said. “He opted out in 1976, which is when Bill Ferrell took over and then he went to the State Senate from 1976 to 1995.

He added: “I remember him as a state senator when I was a kid, but I would hear stories of him as sheriff and that attracted me to law enforcement.”

Wheetley expressed excitement about becoming sheriff and noted a smooth transition with current Scott County Sheriff Wes Drury and his staff. 

“It’s been very smooth, and they have all been very helpful,” Wheetley said. 

Wheetley acknowledged the significant responsibility of being sheriff.

“Being sheriff is way more responsibility than I had at Sikeston,” he said. “The jail alone is a huge task. Currently, Scott County has a total of 160 in custody between Benton and other locations.”

As sheriff, Wheetley said he plans to conduct self-audits to ensure everything is in good working order.

“The biggest thing the public will see first is a uniform change and cars uniformed as well,” Wheetley said. “It may take a little time, but we’re going to have uniform cars that will mark ‘Scott County Sheriff’s Office.’ The cars will be stickered; that way, people will know that the Sheriff’s Office is out and about.”

Wheetley will be sworn in as the Scott County sheriff on Tuesday, Dec. 31.

Zack Haskins will take over Wheetley’s position as Sikeston DPS’ fire division commander. While excited for his new career path, Wheetley said he will miss Sikeston and his connection with the city. 

“How tight-knit the city of Sikeston and DPS are is really a great thing,” Wheetley said. “Back in 2020, we had a burning roof fall on us, and they were the ones that had to break the news to my wife that I went to the hospital. There have been some very tense moments where we stuck together, and that is something that I want to build up at the sheriff’s office.

 He concluded: “I definitely will never forget how truly it is like family at Sikeston.”