History of the Sheriff's Office
What Does a Virginia Sheriff's Office do?
The position of Sheriff was established by the Virginia Constitution, with the sheriff and his/her deputies having both civil and concurrent criminal jurisdiction countywide. Sheriffs’ terms are for 4 years and are not term-limited. A sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of a county or any area that does not have an established police department. James City County has a police department which was established in 1983, subsequent to legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly allowing counties to establish police departments by referendum. The City of Williamsburg has had a police department since July 12, 1947.
Functions of the Office
Prior to 1983, the Sheriff's office handled all police functions for James City County, while a sheriff performed court/jail functions for Williamsburg. When James City County established its County police department it operated under the County sheriff for 3 years before becoming a separate agency. Williamsburg's Sheriff's Office was comprised of only 8 personnel, and eventually merged with the James City County's Sheriff's Office to form the Williamsburg-James City County Sheriff's Office, effective Jan. 1, 1998.
Jurisdiction
Virginia is unique in that all cities are independent jurisdictions, separate from any county. Thus, all cities have elected sheriffs, most of whom focus on court and jail operations. By law, sheriffs can enforce all the laws of the Commonwealth in the jurisdiction they serve. Some city sheriffs also work alongside the city police departments in responding to calls and enforcing traffic violations.
Some cities, such as Poquoson and Williamsburg, still use the Sheriff for civil process and court services. Those sheriff's offices still have concurrent jurisdiction in those cities but do not generally exercise them, deferring to the city police to handle criminal/traffic matters.
Past Sheriffs
In 1634, the history of the American Sheriff began after the settlements in Virginia were sufficiently established to allow for the replacement of the military regime by a civil government. James City “Shire,” now known as James City County, was one of 8 original Virginia “Shires.” In 1649, in Jamestown, Virginia, the Sheriff was empowered as the King’s representative to keep peace. Until 1776 all Sheriffs were appointed by the British Crown. From 1776 to 1851, the Sheriff was appointed from a list of magistrates. In 1851 the Office of the Sheriff became an elected position.
1640
Captain Robert Hutchins
1645-1670
The men listed below likely served as Sheriff during this time; the exact dates are unknown:
- Stephen Webb
- Edward Travis
- Thos. Loveing
- George Jordan
- John Sheppard
- Thomas Warren
- Robert Ellyson
1670
Thomas Ballard
1674
Francis Kirkman
1680
Edmond Jenning
His name may have been Jeffing
1682
Major Samuel Weldon
1691
Henry Gauler
1692
Captain Benjamin Goodridge
George Marable could have been a sub-Sheriff.
1693
Michael Sherman
1695
George Marable
After this appointment, on the June 10, 1712, a new list of commission of justices was issued and his name was omitted. It is stated that he misbehaved in office and commission. He is then listed as having rank of Captain.
1696
Edward Ross
1697
George Marable
I guess they changed their mind!
1699
Henry Duke
1700
Thomas Cowles
1701
Tho. Mountfort
1702
Thomas Cowles
William Marston. W. Marston could have been a sub-Sheriff
1704
David Bray
He served until 1706 when he begged to be excused!
1706
Henry Soane
1707
John Geddes
1708
John Frayser
1710
Edward Jaquelin
1712
Mungo Engles
1714
William Marston
1716
Mungo Engles
1717
James Bray
1719
James Duke
Son of Henry Duke, Sheriff 1699
1721
Thomas Ravenscroft
1724
Benjiman Weldon
1726
Robert Goodrich
1728
Henry Power
1730
James William Brown
1732
Willis Wilson
1734
William Marable
1735
Joseph Marston
1737
Lancelot Woodward
1739
Hudson Allen
1741
Richard Taliaferro
1743
Robert Goodrich (Goodrick)
1745
John Warburton
1747
William Parks
Founder of the “Virginia Gazette”. W. Parks died at sea. His granddaughter went on to become the first wife of founding father Patrick Henry!
1749
William Hooker
1751
John Blair Jr.
1757
William Norvell
1769
William Spratley
1771
Benjiman Weldon
Maybe the son/grandson of B. Weldon, Sheriff 1724
1777
Joseph Eggleston
1781
Edward Power
From this time forward (post-Revolutionary War) Sheriffs were chosen from a list of Magistrates
1783
William Bassett
1785
John Pierce
1786
William Bassett
1788
Samuel Griffin
1789
Col. Dudley Digges
Died in office
1790
William Lee
1792
John Walker
1800
William Wilkerson
1801
William Coleman
1802
Littleton Tazwell
1804
John Godden
1806
William Allen
1808
William Warburton
1810
Champion Travis
1811
Kenly Taylor
1813
William Allen
Also Sheriff 1806-1808, he died in office
1814
Baker Perkins
1823
John Warburton
Also Sheriff 1808-1810, he died in office
1826
Durro Spencer
1831
Bennett Kirby
1832
Richard Henly
1833
George Richardson
He was discharged from office
1834
Archer Hankins
1836
John Drice
1838
Durro Spencer
Also Sheriff 1826-1831
1841
Michael Warren
1842
Joseph Gresham
1846
Bennett Kirby
Also Sheriff 1831
1847
Goodrich Durfey
From this time forward all Sheriffs were elected officials.
1849
Henry Benskin
The first elected Sheriff. No other name has been found for Sheriff until 1888. It is possible that H. Benskin was Sheriff through these years.
1888
E. Richards
1896
Moses Harrell
1904
Walker Ware
1916
Louis P. Trice
This was a 3-way election; Walker Ware, E. Meanly, and Louis P. Trice. E. Meanly actually won the election, followed by Louis Trice. E. Meanly was known throughout the County to have a “hot” temper. After the election a man approached E. Meanly and asked him, how he was going to arrest someone for loosing his temper and getting into a fight when he couldn’t control his own. After some thought, E. Meanly declined to post the bond required causing Trice to take office by default! Trice served as Sheriff for the next 28 years until he died in office.
1944
Vester W. Lovelace
1961
A.M. Brennegan
1970 – 1997
William B. Dorsey
W. Dorsey was the first and only Sheriff of The City of Williamsburg
1984
Walter Dutton
During Sheriff Duttons’ final two years in office, he served as Sheriff of the City of Williamsburg and James City County, upon their merger in 1998.
2000 - 2019
Robert J. Deeds
2020 - Present
David J. Hardin
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David Hardin
Sheriff
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Sheriff's Office
Physical Address
5201 Monticello Avenue
Suite 5
Williamsburg, VA 23188
Phone 757-564-2220Fax 757-564-2229Emergency Phone 911
Hours
Monday - Friday
7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.