The sheriffs also came up short on the money they seized.

This is the part that blew my mind... As I heard things, they left an evidence collection receipt that said, for instance "We confiscated $4800 from your house".

But then when they returned his belonging, there was only $4400 (or whatever amount), and they're claim is "oh we miscounted. The receipt is wrong."

That's not how receipts work Cletus.

Better yet, US courts have found that the government or agencies involved in searches are explicitly not liable for any damage as long as the warrant is "valid". "cool".