The MJTC is named after Sheriff William M. Monks who was a constable in West Plains and a Colonel who served federal forces and the Unionist provisional state government in a variety of ways: he acted as a guide and scout for the U.S. Army; was an officer in the state militia; and, late in the war, joined a volunteer regiment, the Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry. During much of the Civil War conflict, he found or created opportunities to lead small units against guerrillas and outlaw bands in Missouri and Arkansas.  Following the war, Colonel Monks served in the state legislature and commanded militia units composed of both former Union and Confederate veterans who combated lawlessness along the Missouri-Arkansas border. His operations directly opposed the Ku Klux Klan in Arkansas.  In the fall of 1865, Colonel William Monks commenced making preparations to return to his home in the County of Howell and soon after was appointed Sheriff.  There are three primary ranges located on the MJTC; Kelly Range, Henry Range and Cordell Range.

Kelly Range is named after Sheriff Calvin L. Kelly, a “Purple Heart” recipient of the Howell County Sheriff's Office who meritoriously distinguished himself through selfless conduct in his performance of service and protection for the County of Howell and the State of Missouri. On December 19, 1931 Alvin F. Karpis who was driving a 1931 blue De Soto and his passenger Fredrick G. Barker both well known gangsters pulled into the Davidson’s Garage located in West Plains, Missouri to have two flat tires repaired. The blue De Soto alerted the attendant at the Davidson's Garage for it matched the description of a vehicle stolen near McCallon’s Store in West Plains on the night it was burglarized. With this description, the attendant notified Sheriff Kelly of the suspicious vehicle. Once notified, Sheriff Kelly arrived on scene and approached the suspect vehicle from the right side door with both Karpis and Barker still seated inside; immediately Sheriff Kelly received decisive gunfire from both Karpis and Barker resulting in Sheriff Kelly being fatally wounded on scene.

Henry Range is named after Deputy Alfred Henry, a “Purple Heart” recipient of the Howell County Sheriff's Office who meritoriously distinguished himself through selfless conduct in his performance of service and protection for the County of Howell and the State of Missouri. On January 17, 1900 Deputy Alfred Henry was executing his duties as a Jailer by feeding the prisoners when he was forcibly dragged into a cell by two prisoners who fatally wounded Deputy Henry through blunt force trauma.

Cordell Range is named after Sheriff Lee H. Cordell, a “Purple Heart” recipient of the Howell County Sheriff's Office who meritoriously distinguished himself through selfless conduct in his performance of service and protection for the County of Howell and the State of Missouri. On March 1, 1869 Sheriff Cordell was attempting to affect an arrest along with two other Deputies on a man charged with stealing a horse from a farm located in Arkansas. During the arrest, the suspect drew a firearm and began to engage Sheriff Cordell and his Deputies with decisive gunfire at which time Sheriff Cordell was fatally wounded on scene.