A new face — Josh Winkler of Centralia — will be taking over the role of Nemaha County Sheriff after Sheriff Rich Vernon announced his retirement from the department. Vernon held the position of sheriff for 21 years.

Sheriff Vernon announced his retirement during the Monday, Aug. 31, Nemaha County Commission meeting, saying his retirement would be effective Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. Then, the Nemaha County Republicans gathered on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the Nemaha County Courthouse to hold an election to fill Vernon’s unexpired term.

Twenty-eight elected committee members attended the convention from townships and city precincts throughout Nemaha County.

According to Nemaha County Republican Chair Ray Shinn, he said the group was “blessed” to have three highly qualified candidates run for the position.

“It speaks well to the fact that Nemaha County has the lowest crime rate in northeastern Kansas, reflecting the work the sheriff’s office and police departments do to protect and serve our citizens,” Shinn said.

Sheriff Vernon gave a short speech thanking the citizens of Nemaha County for the opportunity to serve the past 21 years as sheriff and wished his successor well in the office. He also spoke highly of his department and officers.

About Josh

Josh is a fifth generation Nemaha County resident and career law enforcement officer.

He graduated from Kansas State University in May of 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology. He began his full-time law enforcement career in June of 2010 with the Riley County Police Department. Josh graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in October of 2010 when he gained his certification as a full-time law enforcement officer. He worked for the Riley County Police Department for two years and completed a rigorous 18-week training program geared toward problem solving.

Then, Josh did a four-month stint at the Seneca Police Department before starting his employment at the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office (NMSO) in November 2012. He stayed with the NMSO until September 2021. Then, he was employed at the Kansas Attorney General’s Office as a Special Agent in the Livestock Investigation Unit, where he is presently employed. However, he is still employed as a part-time deputy for NMSO.

Josh and his wife, Rosanna (Feldkamp) Winkler, have been married for 17 years and live southeast of Centralia on a small five-acre farm. They have four children, Miles, Adalyn, Alivia and Maeve, who all attend Centralia schools.