BJ Adler elected as Wright County Sheriff

After a special election held on Jan. 6, Wright County has a new sheriff with a familiar name.
BJ Adler, the son of retired Sheriff Glenn Adler who retired after 16 years leading the sheriff’s office in 2020, won an unopposed election for the position after receiving 336 total votes, with 20 votes being cast for write-in candidates.
In adding another five undervotes, just a total of 361 of the 12,991 possible voters participated in Tuesday’s special election.
“I think he is very happy and excited, but only he knows the things he went through when he endured his term,” the new Sheriff Adler said of his father, Glenn. “…I grew up with it and watched him in law enforcement before he was the sheriff. I saw immediately the challenges and rewards that came with it.”
The new Sheriff Adler is taking over for Sheriff Sonny Byerley, who announced his retirement effective Nov. 1, 2025.
That was the same day Kristi Akers was sworn into the position on an interim basis.
Though new as Wright County’s Sheriff, he has a lot of law enforcement experience. Sheriff Adler was a little more than a year away from celebrating 15 years with the City of Mountain Grove’s Police Department.
While most recently serving as a patrol sergeant, he says he felt led to putting his name on the ballot for sheriff with a very experienced department.
“They have a great group from top to bottom,” said Sheriff BJ Adler.
“I just want to put my twist on it to see what kind of impact I can make.”
His vision is for the department includes a focus on being disciplined, trust, accountability, clear leadership, a focus on public safety and being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.
He also wants to put an emphasis on higher education and training for deputies.
Sheriff Adler is a 2010 graduate of Norwood High School. His family includes his wife, Bailey, and two children that attend the Mountain Grove R-III School District.