Clay Chism, the current Callaway County Sheriff, is a lifelong Callaway County resident. Clay and his wife Jennifer, also a lifelong Callaway County resident, are the proud parents of two beautiful girls, Baylee and Kynslee. Clay and his family reside in Auxvasse. 

Clay is a graduate of the North Callaway R-1 School District, has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Missouri and a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia College. 

Clay began his career at the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office in September, 2000. Since, Clay has risen through the ranks including corrections officer, patrol deputy, patrol supervisor, investigations division supervisor, evidence officer, and field training officer – working under two past Sheriffs, Harry Lee and Dennis Crane. Clay assumed the role of elected Sheriff on January 1, 2017 and has filed for reelection, hoping to obtain a second term beginning on January 1, 2021. 

As the elected Sheriff, Clay supervises a staff of 56 employees amongst three divisions – administrative, patrol/investigation, and jail operations. Last year, the Sheriff’s Office was responsible for handling over 25,000 calls for service, operating a jail that booked/processed over 2,600 arrests, while also performing several other statutory obligations throughout the county.

Clay is a current board member of Callaway County Crimestopper’s and the MUSTANG drug task force. Clay is a zone leader with the Missouri Sheriff’s Association and also an active member for the National Sheriff’s Association and the Fraternal Order of Police. Clay previously served as a board member of the Callaway County Coalition against Rape and Domestic Violence and the Callaway County Ambulance District.

Clay says the absolute best part of his job is being able to serve his community, his lifelong home.