Progress on Lafayette County’s New Sheriff’s Department September 23, 2025

Lafayette County continues to move forward with the construction of the new Sheriff’s Department building, with completion expected in April 2026. 

The facility, formally named the F.D. “Buddy” East Memorial Headquarters, Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office, will provide more space and the capacity to support the county’s continued growth.

Construction Progress

The construction project is on schedule, according to Sheriff Joey East. With the completion of the drywall, the rooms are all defined, and the ceiling grid is being installed.

“Most of the wiring and plumbing is completed. We’re hoping that first of the year, at least by April, we’ll be in the building,” he said.

Director of Development Services Joel Hollowell added that crews have also begun placing the ceiling grid and are working on drainage systems and retaining walls. “They actually feel like they’re a little bit ahead of schedule,” he said.

Features of the New Headquarters

The existing office space for the sheriff’s department inside the Lafayette County Detention Center totals about 1,500 square feet. As the department continues to expand, that footprint no longer matches its growth. “We’ve outgrown the building,” Sheriff Joey East said. “We’ve just got so many people in there right now that it’s hard to move around.”

The new headquarters will have more space for daily work and training. “These updates will modernize operations and really make it beneficial to the citizens,” Hollowell said. 

Some of the new features include:

  • A defined lobby designed for visitors, separate from office areas.
  • State-of-the-art evidence storage to protect integrity of investigations.
  • Dedicated training areas for deputies.
  • An upgraded 911 call center, also housed in the building.

“We hope to have an open house once we get in and get settled,” Sheriff East said. “We’ll invite the public to come out and view it and take a tour.”

Lafayette County residents who attend the open house will get to see the sign outside and commemorative plaque inside the lobby honoring longtime Sheriff F.D. “Buddy” East, who served Lafayette County for more than 40 years.

Sheriff East called the dedication fitting. “He was instrumental in constructing this and building it. It’s just a good way to honor him.”

Supporting a Larger Force

The new headquarters is an investment in public safety for the next generation. The department, which once had about a dozen employees under Sheriff F.D. “Buddy” East, now has more than 60 deputies and staff.

The new facility is designed to support the county’s needs for decades to come.

“It’s just instrumental in the growth of this county and for public safety,” Sheriff East said. “It will give the sheriff’s department room to grow for the next 25 to 30 years.”

What’s Next

As the new headquarters nears completion, planning is already underway for renovations to the existing jail. The facility is more than 30 years old and in need of technology and security upgrades. 

“We’re still in the design phase,” Sheriff East said. “Hopefully we’ll have it started in the next year also.”