In 2014 former Caldwell County Deputy Brett O’Dell pleaded guilty to stealing around $5,000 and prescription drugs from the evidence vault.

“I lost my career but I am grateful I could have lost more,” said O’Dell.

The court placed him on five years supervised probation. He surrendered his peace officer licence and will pay restitution.

“Had I not been addicted to drugs or alcohol I mean there’s really no doubt in my mind that none of this would have happened,” said O’Dell

O’Dell said being a law enforcement officer was something he’s wanted to do since he was a kid so as soon as he could he joined the police academy.

“I Graduated at 20 and I had a year before I could be certified. I went to Platte County and worked as a civilian in the jail which is pretty common,” said O’Dell. “I worked there for about a year and then I went to the Hamilton Police Department once I turned 21. I wanted to be on the road. Nobody goes to the academy to work in a jail so I wanted to be on the road. I was there for about a year and a half and then I left and went to Caldwell County.”

He worked at Caldwell County for around five years.

“I started out as a road deputy. Worked the road for about three years and then I was starting to get groomed to be an investigator,” said O’Dell. “Once our investigator left and went to Clay County I took over investigations and basically did that that last two years I was there.”

O’Dell said he quickly moved his way up the ranks until one day he blacked out and lost almost everything.

“I don’t remember anything up until the point I got into my patrol car and then I don’t remember driving my patrol car until I was at the intersection of Missouri 13 or Missouri 116 with a gentleman knocking on my window.”

Check back with the St. Joseph Post Tuesday evening to read part two of a five part series on O’Dell’s struggle with prescription drugs and how this former Caldwell County Deputy found himself behind bars.   Audio from series also airing on 680 AM KFEQ during 5:30 hour.