Almost $50K in badges, uniforms raises questions about St. Louis sheriff’s spending

ST. LOUIS (First Alert 4) -- Tens of thousands of dollars spent on new badges and uniforms usher in more questions over the spending of your tax dollars by St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery.

The new badge is similar to the office’s previous design, but now includes a new ring engraved with Sheriff Montgomery’s chosen motto: “Integrity, Honor, and Respect.”

The sheriff was recently seen wearing the new badge, along with the updated uniforms we reported on last week.

First Alert 4 Investigates obtained hundreds of pages of invoices through records requests detailing the badge and uniform purchases from Leon Uniform Company, a fifth-generation local business.

We followed up with Matt Seidler, president and owner of Leon Uniform. He confirmed that the sheriff’s office purchased 250 badges at a cost of $28,000. Those badges were ordered in March and fully paid for as of June 2.

Seidler also said the office still owes about $19,000 for new uniforms. However, a payment arrangement has been made for the new fiscal year. He added that the sheriff’s office remains in good standing with the company.

“We have had a long-standing partnership with the city sheriff’s office,” Seidler shared over the phone. “We have had no issues with them. They always handle things professionally, including the new sheriff. We were told the payment would come after the fiscal reset, and that’s fine with us. They are in great standing. We appreciate the opportunity to serve the men and women who serve our community.”

Some say the spending is part of a troubling trend.

We presented the recent purchases—including the tens of thousands of dollars for uniforms and badges, a $50,000 SUV, new golf carts, and payments to lobbyists in Jefferson City—to David Stokes with the Show-Me Institute, a public policy think tank.

“It’s absurd,” Stokes said. “It’s just somebody who’s been elected to office and thinks he has no limits. Budgets exist for a reason, and elected officials need to stick to them. These expenditures go above and beyond that.”

In a statement to First Alert 4, the sheriff’s office responded:

“In the past, duplicate badges were ordered, ID cards were distributed inconsistently, and retirement badges were purchased for individuals who were not actually retired from the office. Multiple badges that were issued by the previous istration have not been returned. We’re establishing strict controls to ensure each badge is properly issued and ed for. Lost or stolen badges must be permanently retired to prevent misuse. This investment ensures ability moving forward.”

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen will consider new legislation Friday to clarify the powers of the sheriff’s office. This is a change Sheriff Montgomery recently told aldermen he s.

The bill, drafted by Ward 5 Alderman Matt Devoti, reaffirms that the sheriff’s office is responsible for protecting courts, transporting prisoners, and serving legal documents. It also explicitly gives the sheriff’s office responsibility for transporting and guarding detainees receiving medical care.

First Alert 4 previously reported that the sheriff declined to transport several detainees for medical treatment in recent weeks. The sheriff’s office has since stated that only three transports didn’t happen due to a lack of available deputies.

At this time, the sheriff’s office has not commented on the proposed legislation.

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