I applied in-person. The process took 5 days. I interviewed at Warren County Sheriff - Missouri (Warrenton, MO) in Dec 2013
Interview
Fairly laid back and relaxed. However, it is the goal of the interviewer is to scare you away from taking the job. He will go into detail about violent events that occur,and that you are expected to deal with them. Majority of the time if you still want the job at the end of the interview you have the job.