Oklahoma City, OK – County sheriff's offices across Oklahoma will receive a boost in funding after Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced the distribution of $18 million in grants to all 77 counties on Monday, July 6.

The Oklahoma Sheriff's Office Funding Assistance Grant Program was created by the Oklahoma Legislature in 2024 to strengthen law enforcement services across the state, with a particular focus on helping rural sheriff's offices meet growing demands for public safety.

Grant awards range from $150,000 to $300,000 per county and are based on each county's total tangible property valuation. Funding was appropriated through the state budget to the Attorney General's Office and is administered in partnership with the Oklahoma Sheriffs' Association and county sheriffs.

Several western Oklahoma counties received some of the largest awards in the state.

Beckham, Caddo, Custer, Dewey, Jackson and Woodward counties each received $250,000. Ellis, Greer, Kiowa, Roger Mills and Washita counties were awarded $150,000.

Attorney General Drummond said the program reflects the state's continued commitment to supporting local law enforcement, noting that rural sheriff's offices often operate with limited resources while serving large geographic areas.

Roger Mills County Sheriff Darren Atha praised the program following the announcement, saying 2027 will mark the county's third consecutive year receiving the grant. According to Atha, previous funding has been used to purchase body armor, firearms, vehicles, computers, uniforms and training equipment. The grant also helped renovate the sheriff's office and funded a stipend for each full-time employee, excluding the sheriff.

"We have used this grant to rebuild the sheriff's office into an agency that Roger Mills County can be proud of," Atha said. "The AG Sheriff's Assistance Grant has helped to provide quality law enforcement to Roger Mills County, lessening the burden on the county general budget."

Atha added that the department plans to apply for the grant again next year as it continues improving services for county residents.

State officials say the funding is intended to enhance law enforcement operations, improve officer safety and provide sheriff's offices with the equipment and resources needed to better serve their communities.

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