School Bus Traffic Safety

As school buses are back on the road for the new school year, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office wants to remind you to use extra caution while driving.

Many students rely on school buses to get to and from school safely.   Plan for and be aware of school bus routes in your neighborhood and throughout your daily travel.   Ensure you allow plenty of time and space for students to enter and exit buses.   As always, when approaching a school zone or school bus on the road, be prepared to stop for bus and pedestrian traffic.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has the following tips on School Bus Safety. 

If you are driving, remember to:

• Always be cautious and watch for children around school arrival and dismissal times, particularly in the mornings and mid-afternoon.
• Be alert as you back out of a driveway or drive through a neighborhood, school zone, or bus stop.
• Slow down and prepare to stop your vehicle when you see yellow flashing lights indicating the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children.
• Stop your vehicle and remain stopped when you see red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicating the bus has stopped, and children are getting on or off.   You may start driving again when the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving.

Help and remind your child to:

• Always look left-right-left for cars before crossing a street.
• Always wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the bus driver signals you to board or exit.
• Arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
• Face forward after finding a seat on the bus.

For more information on School Bus Safety, please visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Thank you for driving safely as our kids go back to school.

Sheriff Jeff Herrig

Sheriff Herrig has been employed at the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office since 1982.

In 1993 he was appointed by then Sheriff Roy Dunnaway to the position of Undersheriff.

On April 4th, 2008, he was appointed to the position of Sheriff by Governor Kathleen Sebelius, to fill out the term of Sheriff Dunnaway.

Sheriff Herrig is a member of the National Sheriff's Association, Kansas Sheriff's Association, Capital Area Major Case Squad, International Association of Property & Evidence, Kansas Chiefs of Police Association, and Midwest Association of Certified Voice Stress Analysts.

On July 22, 2009, Sheriff Herrig was appointed to represent the Kansas Sheriff's on the Kansas Advisory Group on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency prevention by the Governor.

January 2015, Sheriff Herrig was appointed President of the Kansas Sheriff's Association.

On July 1, 2015, Sheriff Herrig was appointed by Governor Brownback as a member on the Kansas Commission of Peace Officers Standards and Training.

On July 6, 2018, Sheriff Herrig was appointed by Governor Jeff Colyer as a member of the Kansas Commission of Peace Officers Standards and Training.

On May 21, 2021, Sheriff Herrig was appointed as a member of the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Advisory Committee by Governor Laura Kelly.

On October 11, 2022, Sheriff Herrig was appointed as a member of the Kansas Commission of Peace Officers Standards and Training.