Update (2/28/25, 3:15 p.m.):

A statement has been released by the Nevada State Police regarding the earlier letter released by Sheriff Ferguson:

"The Nevada State Police maintains ongoing communication with all law enforcement partners, including the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, to offer support in their respective jurisdictions when requested.

Like many law enforcement agencies nationwide, both the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office and the Nevada State Police face challenges related to resource constraints and staffing shortages. However, the safety of the public remains the highest priority. As such, law enforcement agencies must collaborate to ensure public safety services to our communities.

This collaboration requires agencies to work together when requesting support from the State. It’s important to recognize that while the Nevada State Police gathers the necessary resources—such as troopers, officers, and detectives—to travel to a rural location, this process can involve travel time, as was the case with the recent Mineral County incident.

We remain committed to prioritizing public safety and working together with local law enforcement to continue to provide public safety services while navigating the current challenge of limited resources."

A spokesperson from Governor Joe Lombardo's office provided a statement as well:

"Nevada State Police has remained in constant communication with Mineral County and promptly responded when the Sheriff’s Office reached out for assistance.

Because NSP’s assistance must be specifically requested by counties (on an as needed basis), NSP’s response time is impacted by the location of its nearest trooper."

Original Story (2/28/25, 8:56 a.m.):

Mineral County Sheriff Bill Ferguson is demanding more action from the state of Nevada concerning rural public safety.

In a letter released online, Ferguson writes: 

"As the Sheriff of Mineral County, I have a duty to protect my community, even now when I am compelled to expose a critical failure in Nevada's public safety system: the abandonment of rural communities by the Nevada State Police. I have repeatedly reached out to the Governor's Office for answers, only to be met with deafening silence. That silence ends now."

He goes on to reference two recent shootings - the second one on U.S. 6  near the California border where he asked for help from Nevada State Police and alleges the agency told him "it's a county issue, not a highway patrol issue."

He then asked for help from another state agency that told him they were short-staffed - just like Mineral County, that has seven deputies, down from 20, Ferguson says. 

"This crisis is not just about Mineral County – it’s about every rural community in Nevada being abandoned and forgotten. The state’s refusal to provide public safety resources to rural counties leaves our communities vulnerable and risks the lives of Nevadans."

Ferguson goes on to "demand answers" from the Nevada legislature and governor. 

You can read his entire letter below - 

We've reached out to the governor's office and Department of Public Safety for a comment. 

Download PDF Mineral County Sheriff's Office letter