Thanks to an appropriation of $18 million by the State Legislature, county sheriff departments can apply for grants ranging from $150,000 to $300,000.

Both the McClain and Cleveland County Sheriff Departments have received $300,000 grants while Garvin County is getting $250,000.

It’s all part of the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office Funding Assistance Grant Program, according to House District 42 State Rep. Cindy Roe.

The grants can be used for operations, including training, technology, equipment and capital improvements.

“That’s what we’re going to use it for,” McClain County Sheriff Landy Offolter said.

“It’ll help in maintenance and operation, but I’m old school and I’m not going to spend any before we get it,” Offolter confirmed.

“I’ve been told we’re going to get it in the middle of next month,” he said.

Offolter was one of the very first Oklahoma Sheriffs to apply for the grant.

“I applied as soon as I heard about the program,” he said. “We really appreciate the legislature for providing this funding.

“It’s going to be very important to smaller counties where there may only be a sheriff and one or two deputies,” Offolter said.