This is a list of sheriffs of Essex County, Massachusetts. In the earliest days of the county, the office of sheriff was called the marshall. Since 1692, the office has been called the sheriff. The sheriff originally was an appointed office; it has been an elected position since 1856. The sheriff is elected to serve a six-year term.
The current Essex County sheriff is Kevin Coppinger.
Sheriff Picture Term PartyNoteGeorge Corwin1692–1696 William Gedney1696–1702 Thomas Wainwright1702 William Gedney Daniel Denison1708–1710 William Gedney1710–1715 John Denison1715–1722 John DenisonJuly 3, 1722 – December 12, 1728 Joint sheriff of Essex County with Benjamin Marston from July 3, 1722, to December 12, 1728.Benjamin MarstonJuly 3, 1722, – December 12, 1728 Joint sheriff of Essex County with John Denison from July 3, 1722, to December 12, 1728.Benjamin MarstonDecember 12, 1728 – January 24, 1745–46 Joint sheriff of Essex County with John Denison from July 3, 1722, to December 12, 1728.Robert Hale1746–1766 Richard Saltonstall1766–1779 Michael Farley1779–1792 Bailey Bartlett1792–1831 Joseph E. Sprague1831–1852 Frederick Robinson1852–1854 Republican Thomas E. Payson1854–1856 Whig James Cary1856–1866Horatio G. Herrick1866–1893 Republican Samuel A. Johnson 1893–1919 Republican Died in office.Patrick F. Tierney1919–1921 Arthur G. Wells 1921–1932 Republican Died in office.Frank E. Raymond1932–1953 RepublicanEarl Wells1953–1964 RepublicanDied in office. Succeeded by his son.Roger E. Wells1964 RepublicanActingWilliam J. Casey1964–1965 DemocraticAppointed by Gov. Endicott Peabody Roger E. Wells1964–1975 RepublicanRobert Ellis Cahill1975–1978 DemocraticResigned after he suffered a heart attack and stroke.Charles Reardon 1978–1996 DemocraticResigned after pleading guilty to corruption charges.Frank G. Cousins, Jr1996–2017 Republican Appointed in 1996 by Massachusetts Governor William Weld. Kevin Coppinger2017–present Democratic
References