Wright County Sheriff Sonny Byerley to retire, City of Mountain Grove Mayor David Todd has new role

In unrelated decisions, two prominent Wright County officials announced departures from their elected posts during the past two weeks.
Wright County Sheriff
Sonny Byerley
On Oct. 1, Wright County Sheriff Sonny Byerley officially announced his plans to retire effective on Nov. 1, 2025.
Sheriff Byerley was currently serving in the first year of his second term.
Wright County Clerk Loni Pedersen told the Wright County Journal that Wright County Commissioners will be appointing an interim sheriff closer to Sheriff Byerley’s departure date.
She noted that Commissioners, as of press time, were seeking legal opinion on how to proceed with a special election for the Wright County Sheriff’s position.
“It is with a grateful heart that I announce my retirement as Sheriff of Wright County, effective Nov. 1, 2025,” said Sheriff Byerley in an official statement.
“Serving as your sheriff has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am humbled by the trust the citizens of Wright County have placed in me, and I am deeply appreciative of the support I have received from my staff, fellow first responders, the Commission and the community at large. Over the years, I have witnessed first hand the strength, dedication, and resilience of those I have had the privilege to work alongside. Together, we have faced challenges and celebrated victories, always with the safety and well-being of our citizens at the forefront. As I step into my retirement, I look forward to a season of less stress and more importantly, spending quality time with my wife, our children and our granddaughters. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving you. I will forever carry the memories of this calling and the people of Wright County in my heart.”
City of Mountain Grove Mayor David Todd
City of Mountain Grove Mayor David Todd, who was elected to the position this past April, stepped down after being hired to a full-time position with the City’s fire department. During the September City Council meeting, Mayor Todd stepped down from his position and Alderman/Mayor Pro Tem Mark Bushong was officially sworn in as the new mayor.
City of Mountain Grove City Administrator Dakota Bates said an election for the next mayor will appear on the April 2026 election ballot.
Interim Mayor Bushong will appoint a person to fill his City Council seat through April as the position was already scheduled for the upcoming election cycle.
In the meantime, Dale Atchison replaces Mayor Bushong as the new Mayor Pro Tem.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with David as mayor,” City Administrator Bates said. “He sparked some energy in the town.”
City Administrator Bates said Mayor Todd deserves some credit for some people becoming more actively engaged than before in the community.
“First, it has been an absolute honor serving as your mayor, it truly has,” now former Mayor David Todd said in a prepared statement he shared on social media.
“This is not easy for me to say. God has opened the door in my life and a position for the fire department opened up...With this, sadly I have to step down as your mayor as it would be a conflict of interest. This was not an easy choice, but it’s a stable job with benefits that will greatly help my family and I. I have grown so much in this time. I feel as I start this new path I leave with pride. The City Council is doing an amazing job, asking questions and trying to better serve you the voters. I was blessed to be a part of hiring Dakota Bates as our administrator. I along with the Council feel he is an amazing fit for this community and I firmly believe your administrator and Council will be doing great things in the future...My heart has always been to serve this amazing town. Now I will be serving to save lives and property. You all have been amazing in this town allowing me to serve you all. I am so honored to live in this town, serve in this town, and grow in this town. For many years you have all heard me say this is the best community hands down, now I believe it more than ever. Thank you all for the support and may God bless you and this town!! God has plans for our little town.”