Image of the Adair County Jail with Sheriff’s Department Cars In Front (Photo Courtesy of Adair County Sheriff’s Office)
ADAIR COUNTY, Okla. — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Adair County Sheriff’s Office are offering a $10,000 reward for information that helps identify the suspect who they say set fire to the Adair County Sheriff’s house.
According to officials, a fire was reported at the residence of sheriff Jason Ritchie on May 19. Special agents from the ATF Muskogee Field Office responded and found evidence of forced entry and detected an ignitable liquid.
Agents are pursuing leads, but have identified no suspects at this time.
“Fire, when used as a tool of violence, can ruin lives, property, and the American sense of security,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Brian Garner in a statement. “ATF has a longstanding working relationship with the Adair County Sheriff’s Office and is determined to locate the individual(s) responsible for this reckless act and hold them accountable. We will continue working alongside our law enforcement partners to protect the community and ensure those who endanger public safety are brought to justice.”
ATF says they are now offering a $10,000 reward to identify the person or persons responsible.
Sheriff Ritchie shared the following statement on May 20:
“Good evening, friends, family, and constituents. I’m sure most of you know by now that we’ve had an incident involving our home. My family and I are okay and are working towards getting things back to normal. Yesterday, a passerby noticed smoke coming from our house, and multiple people stopped to help try to extinguish the fire. For that, I’m very grateful. Two fire departments, 51 West and Stilwell Fire, showed up and were amazing. I’m forever grateful for both the citizens who stopped to help and the firefighters. Because of their quick action, a few family and personal items were able to be salvaged. It appears that someone made entry into our home and set it on fire. I appreciate the multitude of law enforcement that showed up, called, and continued to check in on my family and me. We are working closely with ATF, and they were called immediately after the fire was put out and understood what we were dealing with. They showed up in force, and I truly appreciate our relationship. I received hundreds of texts and calls from people in and outside of the county. I will return all the calls and messages I missed in time, but from the bottom of my heart, I value each of you. I understand my job more than most and the danger that comes with it. I believe this is an isolated incident meant for me. Sometimes we investigate and help put dangerous people in jail and prison, and we work on cold cases vigorously and shake trees that haven’t been shaken in many years. You hope and pray it doesn’t happen, but you must believe and train as though it could. We believe and trust in Jesus Christ! If you seen something say something!!!”
If you have any information, you care asked to call the ATF Muskogee Office at 918-594-1800, the Adair County Sheriff’s Office at 918-696-2106 or ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS. You can also send information to [email protected] or the ATF’s website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips.
A GoFundMe has been created to support the immediate needs and rebuilding efforts for Sheriff Ritchie and his family. You can donate by clicking here.
