Experience

Impeccable Character

Vernon Betts was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri.  He attended St. Louis Public schools and is a graduate of Beaumont High School class of 1971.  He was awarded an Associate Degree from St. Louis Community College, in Criminal Justice, and a Bachelor Degree form Harris Stowe State University, in Education. 

Vernon began his working career as a St. Louis Public School Teacher. In April 1979, he shifted careers and was employed by AmerenUE where he was certified by the United State Postal Service as an Executive Mail Manager; he was presented Mail Center Manager of the Year in 1982.  He is an Executive Board member of Postal Customer Council. He retired as the Information Technology supervisor after thirty years of service. After leaving AmerenUE, he took a position as a Deputy Sheriff, in the City of St. Louis.  During his tenure, he ran for St. Louis Sheriff’s seat where he lost the first run.  He took a position at Securitas Security as a Captain and worked security for the St. Louis Blues for the next four years.

Vernon ran for Sheriff in 2016 and won the seat.  He is currently serving his 2^nd four-year term after being re-elected as the Sheriff for the City of St. Louis.  In 2021 Sheriff Betts became the first Sheriff in St. Louis to offer deputies the opportunity to become Post Certified in 2021; he worked beside his deputies and also became Post Certified which is the highest form of training for any law enforcement officer across the USA.  Sheriff Betts is the longest serving African American Sheriff to be elected in the State of Missouri.

Sheriff Betts has been engaged as an active leader in his community for several decades.  He has been a block Captain and President of his Neighborhood Association, member of the Urban League, Executive Board Member of the 100 Black Men, Executive Board Member of the St. Louis Branch of the NAACP, Board Member of The Crusade Against Crime of America, and a member of the National Sheriff Association and Missouri Sheriff’s Association.  He participates in mentoring programs such as Maleness to Manhood at Matthew Dicky Boys and Girls Club; a mentor to troubled youth at the Juvenile Detention Center.  Sheriff Betts is a very active member, licensed and ordain minister at Shalom Church City of Peace and a member of the Clergy Coalition of St. Louis.  He has been a licensed and ordain minister for over twenty-two years.  Sheriff Betts is married to his wife Lori, and is a proud father of five adult children and six grandchildren.

Sheriff Betts was chosen among his peers to receive “The Outstanding Alumni Award” from Beaumont High School and from Harris Stow State University.  He was presented with the most coveted award from Matthew Dickey Boy and Girls Club, with the “Hubert “Dickey” Ballentine Legacy Award.” Sheriff Betts was the recipient of the “Martin Luther King, Jr. Political Service Award” that was presented to him by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc.  Better Family Life bestowed on Sheriff Vernon Betts the “Public Safety Award” at their 32^nd Annual Unity Ball.

Sheriff Vernon Betts embodies a lifestyle and believes that education, hard work, determination, family support, and Godly worship, make life a success.