Monroe County Officially Receives Missouri Blue Shield Designation

On Thursday, May 22, Monroe County officially received Missouri Blue Shield designation from the Missouri Department of Public Safety. This prestigious honor recognizes Missouri communities that demonstrate a steadfast commitment to enhancing public safety and supporting law enforcement. 
The Missouri Blue Shield Program, created by Governor Kehoe in January 2025 through Executive Order 25-03, recognizes local governments that make significant efforts to reduce crime, foster law enforcement collaboration, and build strong community partnerships for public safety. 
"Public safety is the foundation of a thriving community and state. It affects everything from families feeling secure to businesses having the confidence to invest and grow," said Governor Kehoe. "We designed the Missouri Blue Shield Program to recognize communities that go above and beyond in creating a place where people want to live, work, and build their futures. A Missouri Blue Shield designation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of local governments across Missouri who are leading the way in making public safety a priority." 
"The Department of Public Safety is proud to work alongside communities like Monroe County, that have shown exceptional dedication to enhancing public safety," said Mark James, Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS). "This program is about fostering collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Our goal is to support these efforts, providing resources and guidance to help communities build sustainable, long-term solutions for crime reduction and public safety." 
Presiding Commissioner Curt Wheeler said, "Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our Sheriff Joe Colston our county is now a Blue Shield County. This will open many new opportunities for our county such as equipping our law enforcement with further training & equipment. These grants are essential for smaller counties such as ours, we are very proud of this accomplishment". 
"We're very proud of our ongoing partnership with our county commission as well as other local, state, and federal agencies and most importantly the community we serve. I'm thankful for the support from the people of Monroe County in our efforts to continue to make Monroe County a great place to live and work. We're excited to be a part of this program that will help us provide additional tools to our people to deter crime and make Monroe County a safer place to live", said Sheriff Colston 
Eligibility and Program Details 
Communities are eligible for a Missouri Blue Shield designation based on their dedication to reducing crime, making substantial investments in public safety, and developing strong collaboration with law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders. Each participating community's commitment will be reviewed annually to ensure continued alignment with the program's goals. 
Participation Incentives 
Communities that earn a Missouri Blue Shield designation will receive grant funding for law enforcement training and equipment as part of Governor Kehoe's Recommended Budget for the State Fiscal Year 2026. Communities will also be featured on Governor Kehoe's social media pages as well as the DPS website to highlight their participation in the program. 
About Monroe County 
Monroe County earned a Missouri Blue Shield designation due to its exceptional commitment to public safety. Through officer recruitment efforts, investments in law enforcement personell and equpment, and programs dedicated to reducing crime the community has demonstrated a strong and ongoing commitment to protecting its residents. This designation affirms Monroe County's effort to create a safer, more secure environment for all who live and work here.