The El Paso County Sheriff's Office (EPSO), founded in 1861, handles law enforcement in El Paso County, Colorado. The Office is headed by the County Sheriff, an elected official.

Sheriff history

Last First Party Start date Finish date Notes 29 Roybal Joseph J. Republican January 10, 2023 (oath taken) 28 Elder Bill Republican January 1, 2015 January 10, 2023 27 Maketa Terry Republican 2002 December 31, 2014 resigned by retirement amid a scandal; served 3 terms as Sheriff after a change from 2 to 3 as the maximum 26 Anderson John Wesley Republican January 10, 1995 2003 nephew of 24th Sheriff, Red Davis 25 Barry Bernard "Bernie" J. Republican 1983 1995 took over after Davis' death then subsequently elected; resigned amid a racial slur scandal 24 Davis ? L. "Red" Republican 1979 1983 died while in office previously Sheriff of Colorado Springs, CO.; first name as "Herald" or "Richard" in official documents 23 Shipley Marion M. Republican 1975 1978 22 Sullivan Earl L. Republican <=1956 1975 21 Short Norman E. Democrat January 1949 >=1953 20 Slocum Ray H. Republican 1947 January 1949 19 Deal Samuel J. Democrat 1935 >=1945 won reelection in 1936 18 Jackson Robert M. Republican 1927 1934 won reelection in 1930 17 Berkley Samuel "Sam" R. Democrat 1923 1926 won reelection in 1924 16 Weir John Hamilton Republican 1917 1922 15 Birdsall George G. Republican 1909 1917 14 Grimes Oliver P. Republican April 30, 1904 1908 appointed in 1904 after Gilbert resigned, 13 Gilbert William R. Republican January 14, 1902 (noon) April 30, 1904 sheriff in 1901 (?) See Colorado Labor Wars. 12 Goddard Donald C. "Fusionist" 1900 January 14, 1902 (noon) Goddard was nominated under a so-called Fusionist ticket that merged Democrats and Populists. 11 Boynton Winfield Scott Republican 1896 January 1900 (?); retired 10 Bowers M. F. Republican <=1892 1896 See Cripple Creek miners' strike of 1894. 9 Jackson Leonard Republican >=November 1887 1891 was Sheriff in 1888 8 Dana L. C. Republican 1882 >=November 1887 appointed sheriff after Smith resigned; was Sheriff in 1886 7 Smith Walt H. Republican January 13, 1880 (Since elected in 1879, this means he directly succeeded Becker whose last day as sheriff is known.) 1882; left post to be U.S. Marshal, succeeded by his deputy 6 Becker Peter Democrat September 1875The Colorado Springs Gazette starts listing Becker as Sheriff on September 25, 1875 whereas it listed Donnelly as Sheriff the week prior on September 18, 1875. The election itself was on September 1875's second Tuesday, which was September 14, 1875. The latest official mention of Donnelly as Sheriff is at least September 17, 1875 and the earliest mention of Becker as Sheriff is at most December 1, 1875. This is unusual as most of the El Paso sheriffs take office in January. It is unclear why Becker seems to be acting officially as Sheriff earlier than January 1876 but all information is consistent with the Colorado Springs Gazette's listings. January 13, 1880 5 Donnelly Robert Democrat September 1875 elected in September 1873 4 Eubank Cornelius Democrat (This was his party while running for County Commissioner shortly after being sheriff. It seems reasonable to assume he did not switch parties.) 1871? appointed; lost reelection in September 1873; still Sheriff by November 29, 1873 ? Templeton A. J. Republican 1868? 1871 ?; possibly dubious entry (eg, perhaps just deputy) ? Spielman David Republican (?) (assumes this is the same David Spielman but seems reasonable) 186? 186?; possibly dubious entry (there's seems to be no contemporary mention of him) ? Shapter ? 186? 186?; possibly dubious entry (eg, perhaps just deputy) 1 Kelley Rankin Scott 1861 1867; named sometimes spelled "Kelly"

Notes

References

Further reading

External links El Paso County Sheriff's Office Annual reports