Public safety/LMR radio systems are designed to cover specific areas. The license will show the center point and a certain radius around that point where they are allowed to transmit from mobiles. Usually there is no effort made to cover outside that area. Radio system designs purposely limit coverage so radio frequencies can be reused.
Getting a signal from 2 counties away may be difficult depending on your location. Height is might, as bearcatrp suggested, you need your antenna up high so it can see over any topographical features between you and the radio site. Your own elevation will play into this. To get reliable coverage, you may need to move your antenna up quite a bit higher.
As for the specific antenna type, a directional antenna designed for the bands you want to listen to will improve your chances.
Depending on how high you need to put your antenna, you may need to consider higher grade coaxial cable.
But, yeah, get your antenna up higher, and maybe you'll get them. Try taking your scanner out of the house and to some local higher peaks and see if you can even hear them from there.
