Gary Toelke, former sheriff of Franklin Co. for 28 years, will detail events that took place at the Historic Union Courthouse Jail, formerly located on the third floor, and share significant events that have occurred at the sheriff’s
office. His presentation includes a tour of the early jail, the jail completed in 1986, along with details of the newest jail completed in 2022.
Gary Toelke served as sheriff of Franklin County for 28 years, retiring in 2016. In 1970, he enlisted in the Missouri National Guard, 3175 th Military Police Company, then followed his law enforcement interests by attending the Military Police Academy in Fort Gordon, Georgia. He worked in construction until he went to work for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in 1975. Gary served under three local sheriffs before becoming chief deputy and was later elected as sheriff. He currently volunteers with the Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit. His interest in local history is shown in his research related to local law enforcement.