Happy Administrative Professionals Day to the ladies in the Administrative Office at the Washington Police Department!
Today we recognize our three incredibly knowledgeable secretaries who keep us from accidentally turning the office into complete chaos. If it’s organized, it’s because of you. If it’s on time, it’s because of you. If we didn’t completely mess it up, it’s definitely because of you.
We may have command staff for operations, but we all know who we actually go to when we need something done, found, fixed, or explained... usually more than once.
Thank you for everything you do to keep this department running and for putting up with us while you do it. We appreciate you more than you'll ever know!
#WashMO #TheyRunTheDepartment #TheRealCommandStaff #NoIdeaWhatWeAreDoing
Night Shift Summary.4/22/26
A male, registered sex offender was arrested for being present/loitering at Rennick Riverfront Park.
Trespassing was reported in the 400 block of Hooker St.
Officers responded to the 800 block of Edith St. for a report of wildlife inside a residence.
Trespassing was reported in the 2600 block of E. 5th St.
A motor vehicle crash occurred in the area of Hwy 100 and Washington Hgts.
A male was arrested for driving while revoked and a female for a person of interest entry out of Eureka PD during a traffic stop in the area of Rabbit Trail Dr. and Hwy 100.
Report of shots fired in the 2500 block of Slater Dr.
A crisis intervention report was completed in the 700 block of Clay St.
A water main break was reported in the 400 block of Stafford St.
A stray dog was reported in the 300 block of Fair St. and returned to the owner.
A stray dog was picked up in the area of Hwy 100 and Clay St. and later returned to the owner.
ARRESTS DO NOT IMPLY GUILT.
Day Shift Summary 4/22/26
The well being was checked on a subject in the area of Hwy 47 and 3rd Street. The subject was fine, just playing on their phone waiting for a ride
A fraud was reported in the 1900 block of Washington Crossing
An informational report was taken concerning activity in the fairgrounds area
Property damage was reported in the 700 block of E 5th Street. A subject was taken into custody
A stealing was reported in the 700 block of Clay Street
A vehicle collision involving a deer was reported at Hwy 100 and Aroy Drive
A trespassing was reported in the 1700 block of E 5th Street
*UPDATE*
As of 8:30 a.m., Highway A at Four Mile Road is open.
*TRAFFIC ALERT*
Highway A at Four Mile Road is closed due to an accident. Detours are in place. Please avoid the area.
VIPs (Volunteers in the Park) got started today on new landscaping around the gazebo, and it’s already looking amazing!
A huge THANK YOU to Washington in Bloom for their hard work last year—thanks to them, we were able to win some of these beautiful flowers 🌸 And a special shoutout to Suntory Flowers for their generous donation of hundreds of gorgeous blooms!
We can’t wait to see this space come to life—stop by and check out the progress! 🌼🌳
Day Shift Summary. 04/21/26
Officers responded to Hwy 100 and Hwy 47 for a motorist assist.
A check the wellbeing was conducted in the 700 block of Fremont St.
A civil issue was reported in the 2000 block of Hwy A.
A parking issue was reported in the 400 block of Cedar St.
A motor vehicle accident was investigated in the area of Hwy 100 and Bluff Rd.
Officers responded to the 1300 block of Stafford St. for a report of a subject having suicidal thoughts.
A stealing was reported in the area of Front St. and Elm St.
A motor vehicle accident was investigated in the area of 8th St. and Hwy 47.
#SWPPP #washmo #waterwisewednesday#EarthDay
The Riverfront Upper Parking Lot is currently closed. At this time, we do not have a confirmed reopening date.
For those needing access to Wash Mo on the Go, please use the Lower Lot or the East Lot.
Thank you for your understanding,
City of Washington Parks & Recreation Department
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Washington Police Department
(636) 390-1050
THREE ARRESTED FOLLOWING ATTEMPTED UTILITY WIRE THEFT NEAR WEATHERBY COURT
WASHINGTON, MO — April 21, 2026 — On Monday, April 20, 2026, at approximately 12:38 a.m., the Washington Police Department responded to a report of suspicious activity involving AT&T utility lines near Weatherby Court.
Upon arrival, officers conducted a thorough search of the area and discovered that a large section of utility cable had been cut from a pole and divided into smaller, manageable sections. Investigators also located a specialized tool—a small angle grinder taped to a long pole—which was used to sever the wire from the utility pole.
During the sweep, officers located a male suspect hiding in the brush. Simultaneously, a patrol officer stopped a pickup truck that had been seen driving repeatedly through the immediate area. The vehicle was occupied by a female driver and a male passenger.
Based on evidence recovered at the scene and statements obtained during the initial investigation, all three individuals were placed under arrest. The pickup truck was seized and towed to the Washington Police Station for processing.
Following a secondary investigation by detectives and the execution of a search warrant on the vehicle, the case was presented to the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office. The following charges have been issued:
Christopher R. Cromwell Sr. (43, Villa Ridge, MO)
Cordell A. Parker (27, Pacific, MO)
Tampering with Service of a Utility
Stealing ($750 or more)
Property Damage - 1st Degree
Bond: $25,000 Cash
Kristina K. Ruffin (42, Villa Ridge, MO)
Accessory to Tampering with Service of a Utility
Accessory to Stealing ($750 or more)
Accessory to Property Damage - 1st Degree
Bond: $25,000 Cash
All three subjects are currently being held at the Franklin County Detention Center.
The Washington Police Department remains committed to protecting the city's infrastructure and ensuring that those who disrupt essential services for personal gain are held accountable.
Lt. Steve Sitzes
Day Shift Summary. Date: 04/20/26
A suspicious vehicle and person was reported in the area of W. Main and Jefferson St.
A trespass warning was issued for a business located in the area of Jefferson and 8th St.
A check the wellbeing was conducted in the 300 block of Terry Lane.
Soliciting without a permit was reported in the Stonecrest Subdivision.
A motor vehicle accident with injury was reported in the area of Blue Jay Dr. and Sunnyside.
A subject was arrested with outstanding warrants during a traffic stop in the area of Hwy 100 and Hwy A.
A subject was arrested with outstanding warrants during a traffic stop in the area of Jefferson St. and 13th St.
A suspicious person was reported in the 200 block of Washington Heights Dr.
A careless and reckless driver was reported in the area of the 600 block of Wilson St.
All subjects arrested are innocent until proven guilty.
SAVE THE DATE
Please join us on the morning of May 15th for the Annual City of Washington Law Enforcement Memorial Day Ceremony as we gather to honor the dedication, service, and sacrifice of our disabled and fallen officers from across the nation.
This ceremony is open to the public, and we welcome our community to stand with us as we pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Ceremony Details:
• Date: May 15
• Time: 9:00 a.m. (The observance will last approximately 30 to 45 minutes)
• Location: The flagpoles located at Jefferson Street and 4th Street
Notice for Attending Agencies:
• Class A uniforms are respectfully requested for all attending personnel.
For any questions regarding the ceremony, please contact SRO Greg Garrett #263 at ggarrett@washmo.gov.
Day Shift Summary 04/18/26
Report of a possibly sick possum on Wilson Street. It was located and determined to be fine. It was relocated.
Assisted a motorist in the area of East 5th Street and Highway 100.
Intoxicated subject was taken into protective custody in the 2000 block of East 5th Street.
Trespassing reported in the 900 block of East 5th Street. Subject was asked to leave but refused. Subject was arrested.
Assisted EMS in the 2000 block of Rabbit Trail Drive. Subject was left in care of EMS.
Derelict vehicle was tagged in the 400 block of Cedar Street.
Night Shift Summary 04/17/26
A motor vehicle crash occurred in the area of Hwy 100 and Jefferson St.
A peace disturbance was reported in the 1800 block of E. 9th St.
A solicitor was reported in the area of Fire Crest Ct.
Officers responded to an alarm sounding in the 1800 block of E. 5th St.
A peace disturbance was reported in the 500 block of W. Front St.
A male was arrested for driving while intoxicated in the area of Hwy 100 and Huxel Dr.
Assisted WFD with an alarm in the 400 block of E. 14th St.
ARRESTS DO NOT IMPLY GUILT
Students had the chance to get a hands-on look at several pieces of equipment officers carry or have access to in the field. One of the most popular items was Det. Broz’s plate carrier, which is worn during high-risk calls. The vest is rated to stop rifle rounds and weighs approximately 25 to 30 pounds without additional gear.
Thank you to Four Rivers Career Center for the invitation and the opportunity to connect with students throughout the day.
If you have questions about a career with the Washington Police Department, please contact Det. Broz at cbroz@washmo.gov.
Front Street, from Lafayette to Elm, will remain closed over the weekend. Sidewalk will remain open to allow access to local businesses.
Work on Front Street will resume Monday, April 20.
City of Washington Emergency Management Agency
🚨 FRIDAY FRAUD FACTS 🚨
For this week's Friday Fraud Facts post, we would like to share a video with you. This video was created by Erin West, who is the founder of a coalition called Operation Shamrock. Operation Shamrock's goal is to prevent fraud & scams, and to assist victims of fraud. We encourage fraud and scam victims to visit the Operation Shamrock website at https://www.operationshamrock.org/ .
In this video, Erin West gives a tour of an overseas scam compound that was raided by that country's authorities. The video is extremely eye opening and does a great job of showing the large scale of these overseas scam centers, where many of the scams we have mentioned in previous posts originate from. Please take the 7 minutes to watch this highly informative video and as always, if you or a loved one suspects a possible scam, contact law enforcement prior to sending any money!
City of Washington Emergency Management Agency
Today at the Washington High School, students got a hands-on lesson in traffic safety!
At the request of our School Resource Officers, representatives from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office Traffic Safety Unit visited during the student lunch periods to discuss safe driving and seatbelt usage.
As part of the visit, students watched a roll-over crash simulator and even rode a low-speed impact device to see the real, life-saving benefits of buckling up.
So far, MSHP and FCSO have visited the Washington Middle School and will be bringing this demonstration to the St. Francis Borgia High School and the Four Rivers Career Center in the upcoming weeks.
Buckle up , phone down, and stay safe!
#WashMO #GoBlueJays #BUPD #ArriveAlive
City of Washington Emergency Management Agency
