This year's Distinguished Service Award recipients spend their days - and nights - keeping Callaway County safe.
The Kingdom of Callaway Supper committee is proud to announce Sheriff Clay Chism and the Callaway County Sheriff's Office as their pick for the annual award.
"It's a great reflection of the work the dedicated men and women of the sheriff's office perform across the county," Chism said Friday. "I'm the face of the agency, but the credit goes to every employee here at the sheriff's office. Their dedication to the community is steadfast every day."
Jerry Austin, chair of the Distinguished Service Award committee, said the committee's choice was easy.
"It was pretty unanimous that he was the one we were going to select," he said. "He does do an outstanding job, we think. (The Fulton Sun) helped us choose him - every day, (The Fulton Sun has) someone in there that his department has arrested. I've known him a long time, and he's a nice, polite person to work with."
Chism was elected as county sheriff in 2016. His efforts to serve Callaway County began long before that, however.
"Most law enforcement officers have that story to tell about how they decided (to become an LEO) or that certain relative who inspired them," Chism said. "With me, it's just something I always wanted to do, ever since I was a little kid. I've always appreciated those who are willing to serve their community and the public."
Chism is a Callawegian born and raised. Though he can't point to a specific incident that inspired his career, he gave nods to his parents in teaching him the value of hard work and service.
"My mother was the county treasurer for seven terms here in Callaway County," he said. "I always admired the way she respected every community member. My father has always been an inspiration throughout my life. You will not find someone whom is more trustworthy and has such a high level of integrity. He's one of the hardest workers I know."
After graduating high school, Chism stood at a crossroads.
"I gave myself two choices: either pursue a criminal justice degree through a university or join the military," he said. "I thought both options seemed logical."
He chose to go into law enforcement, graduating from the then-Central Missouri State University's prestigious program in July 2000. Chism went back to school for his master's of criminal justice administration at Columbia College in 2010, graduating in 2012.
"I started here on Sept. 1, 2000, and here I am today," Chism said. "I've served in virtually every role this agency has, and that's been advantageous to being the sheriff."
The job entails more than people realize, he said: Aside from supervising road deputies, he runs the county jail, maintains the sex offender registry, prepares court documents and much more.
"I can only succeed as sheriff due to the great support my wife and children offer me at home," he said. "As I've mentioned previously, living with the sheriff is not the easiest task."
Chism and wife, Jennifer, have two daughters, ages 2 and 6. He actually met his wife through the job, he said.
"She was a waitress at the old Gasper's restaurant in Kingdom City, which was one of the favorite eating places for local law enforcement officers," he said. "It was just meant to be."
Even after nearly 20 years with the Callaway County Sheriff's Office, Chism said he still finds the job rewarding.
"I love being able to serve citizens in so many ways, including ones that don't require a badge and gun," he said.
The Distinguished Service Award went to homeless shelter Our House in 2019 and childhood cancer charity Super Sam Foundation in 2018.
William Woods University will host the supper March 3 starting with a reception 5-6:30 p.m. at the Gladys Woods Kemper Art Center, dinner at Tucker Dining Hall from 7-7:45 p.m. and the program at Dulany Auditorium from 8-9:15 p.m. Tickets are $15 and are available at kingdomofcallawaysupper.com, the Callaway Chamber of Commerce, Callaway Bank, Central Bank and United Security Bank.