El Paso County Sheriff's Office (Colorado) Explained

El Paso County Sheriff's Office (Colorado) should not be confused with El Paso County Sheriff's Office (Texas).

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

LastFirstPartyStart dateFinish dateNotes
29RoybalJoseph J.RepublicanJanuary 10, 2023 (oath taken)[1]
28ElderBillRepublicanJanuary 1, 2015[2] January 10, 2023
27MaketaTerryRepublican2002December 31, 2014resigned by retirement amid a scandal;[3] [4] [5] served 3 terms as Sheriff after a change from 2 to 3 as the maximum[6]
26AndersonJohn WesleyRepublicanJanuary 10, 1995[7] 2003nephew of 24th Sheriff, Red Davis
25BarryBernard "Bernie" J.[8] Republican19831995took over after Davis' death then subsequently elected; resigned amid a racial slur scandal[9]
24Davis?[10] [11] L. "Red"Republican19791983died while in office[12] previously Sheriff of Colorado Springs, CO.;[13] first name as "Herald" or "Richard" in official documents
23ShipleyMarion M. Republican19751978
22SullivanEarl L.Republican<=19561975
21ShortNorman E.DemocratJanuary 1949[14] >=1953[15]
20SlocumRay H.Republican1947[16] January 1949
19DealSamuel J.Democrat1935[17] >=1945[18] won reelection in 1936[19]
18JacksonRobert M.Republican[20] 1927[21] 1934[22] won reelection in 1930[23]
17BerkleySamuel "Sam" R.Democrat[24] 1923[25] 1926won reelection in 1924[26]
16WeirJohn Hamilton[27] Republican1917[28] 1922[29]
15BirdsallGeorge G.Republican[30] 19091917
14GrimesOliver[31] P.Republican[32] April 30, 1904[33] [34] 1908appointed in 1904 after Gilbert resigned,[35] [36] [37]
13GilbertWilliam R.[38] Republican[39] January 14, 1902 (noon)[40] [41] April 30, 1904sheriff in 1901 (?) See Colorado Labor Wars.
12GoddardDonald C."Fusionist"[42] 1900January 14, 1902 (noon)Goddard was nominated under a so-called Fusionist ticket that merged Democrats and Populists.[43] [44] [45] [46]
11Boynton Winfield Scott[47] Republican[48] 1896January 1900 (?)
[49] retired[50]
10BowersM. F.Republican[51] <=1892[52] 1896[53] See Cripple Creek miners' strike of 1894.
9JacksonLeonardRepublican[54] >=November 1887[55] 1891was Sheriff in 1888[56]
8DanaL. C.Republican[57] 1882>=November 1887appointed sheriff after Smith resigned;[58] [59] was Sheriff in 1886[60]
7SmithWalt H.Republican[61] January 13, 1880[62] 1882
[63] [64] [65] left post to be U.S. Marshal, succeeded by his deputy
6BeckerPeterDemocrat[66] [67] September 1875[68] [69] January 13, 1880[70] [71] [72]
5DonnellyRobertDemocrat[73] September 1875[74] [75] elected in September 1873
4EubankCorneliusDemocrat[76] 1871?appointed;[77] [78] [79] lost reelection in September 1873; still Sheriff by November 29, 1873[80]
?TempletonA. J.Republican[81] 1868?1871 ?
[82] possibly dubious entry (eg, perhaps just deputy)
?SpielmanDavidRepublican (?)[83] 186?186?
[84] possibly dubious entry (there's seems to be no contemporary mention of him)
?Shapter?186?186?
[85] possibly dubious entry (eg, perhaps just deputy)
1KelleyRankin[86] Scott18611867[87]
[88] named sometimes spelled "Kelly"

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EPC Sheriff's Office . January 9, 2023 . EPC Sheriff's Office January 9, 2023 Facebook post . On January 10, 2023, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office will be holding an Oath of Office Ceremony, as Undersheriff Joseph J. Roybal will be sworn in as the 29th Sheriff of El Paso County..
  2. Web site: 2015 El Paso County Sheriff's Office Annual Report . El Paso County Sheriff's Office . When I began my first term as your Sheriff on January 1, 2015.
  3. News: Vaughan . Kevin . May 26, 2016 . Former Colorado sheriff, his assistant indicted . USA Today . He resigned Dec. 31, 2014, two weeks before what should have been the end of his third term, amid allegations that he had carried on affairs with multiple subordinates and tried to smear the man ultimately elected to succeed him, Bill Elder..
  4. News: Padilla . Anica . Contreras . Oscar . May 26, 2016 . Former Sheriff Terry Maketa turns himself in . denver7.com . The charges for all three come one-and-a-half years after Maketa left his post as Sheriff on Dec. 31, 2014. He was term-limited and normally would have left office in the middle of January, except that he filed retirement paperwork naming New Year's Eve as his last day..
  5. News: Robles . Yesenia . Paul . Jesse . May 25, 2016 . Grand jury indicts former El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa . denverpost.com . Amid the scandal, Maketa resigned at the end of 2014 before his third and final term was up..
  6. Web site: 2014 El Paso County Sheriff's Office Annual Report . El Paso County Sheriff's Office . In 2006, he was elected Sheriff for a second term. During that time period, the term limit for Sheriff had been increased from two terms to three. In 2010, Sheriff Maketa was elected for a third and final term..
  7. Book: Anderson, John Wesley . 2023 . Lou and Jonbenét: A Legendary Lawman's Quest To Solve A Child Beauty Queen's Murder . On January 10, 1995, I was sworn in as the 26th Sheriff for El Paso County, Colorado..
  8. Web site: Spring 1991 . Jail Suicide Update . U. S. Department of Justice . 3 . 4 . 8 .
  9. Book: Hess . Charlie . Seay . Davin . 2008 . Hello Charlie: Letters from a Serial Killer . Atria Books . 978-1-4165-4485-2 . 41 . Meanwhile, the incumbent sheriff, on the job for a dozen years, had abruptly announced his retirement after coming under fire for making racial slurs to his employees..
  10. Book: 1980 . ABSTRACT OF VOTES CAST 1980 . State of Colorado . 19 . Sheriff, Harold L. 'Red' Davis (R).
  11. Book: 1982 . ABSTRACT OF VOTES CAST 1978 . State of Colorado . 21 . Sheriff: Richard L. 'Red' Davis (R).
  12. Book: Anderson, John Wesley . 2023 . Lou and Jonbenét: A Legendary Lawman's Quest To Solve A Child Beauty Queen's Murder . Uncle Red won and became the 24th Sheriff for El Paso County. Red Davis served as Sheriff from 1979–1983 and passed away during his second term. Bernie Barry, who had run against my uncle, finished Red's second term and would become the 25th El Paso County Sheriff. He served from 1983–1995. I would be elected the 26th Sheriff....
  13. Book: Buchanan . Mary Estill . 1978 . ABSTRACT OF VOTES CAST 1978 . State of Colorado . 15 .
  14. Web site: 1948 . Abstract of Votes Cast . State of Colorado .
  15. Web site: 1952 . ABSTRACT OF VOTES CAST . State of Colorado .
  16. Web site: 1946 . Abstract of Votes Cast . State of Colorado .
  17. Web site: 1934 . Abstract of Votes Cast . State of Colorado .
  18. Web site: 1944 . ABSTRACT OF VOTES CAST . State of Colorado .
  19. Web site: 1936 . Abstract of Votes Cast . State of Colorado .
  20. Book: 1948 . Year Book of the State of Colorado . Colorado State Planning Commission . 593 . Robert M. Jackson (R).
  21. Web site: 1926 . ABSTRACT OF VOTES CAST . State of Colorado .
  22. Web site: 1932 . Abstract of Votes Cast . State of Colorado .
  23. Web site: 1930 . ABSTRACT OF VOTES CAST . State of Colorado .
  24. Web site: November 14, 1922 . Democratic Sheriff in Office 22 Years. . LXIII . 318 . 1 . The Rocky Mountain News . Sheriff John H. Weir of El Paso county, widely known as a sheriff and as a politician, and one of the big Republicans of his county, failed in re-election. He was defeated by Samuel R. Berkley, and it is the first time in twenty-two years the county has had a Democratic sheriff..
  25. Web site: 1922 . Abstract of Votes Cast . State of Colorado .
  26. Web site: 1924 . Abstract of Votes Cast . State of Colorado .
  27. Book: Stone . Wilbur Fiske . 1918 . History of Colorado . S. J. Clarke . II . 715 . John Hamilton Weir, of Colorado Springs, who is filling the office of county sheriff,....
  28. Book: Stone . Wilbur Fiske . 1918 . History of Colorado . S.J. Clarke . 2 . From 1913 until 1916 he was chairman of the progressive party and in the latter year he was elected to the office of sheriff of El Paso county, ....
  29. Web site: 1920 . Abstract of Votes Cast . State of Colorado .
  30. News: September 6, 1904 . Special to The News . The Rocky Mountain News . XLV . 250 . 3 . The Republican county convention will be held tomorrow. It will be composed of 176 delegates. Many candidates are seeking nominations. It is conceded that O. P. Grimes, for sheriff, will have a clear field, as George Birdsall of Colrado City and Jack Webber of Colorado Springs have withdrawn from the race. It was reported today that either Henry McAllister, Jr., or W. S. Boynton would be selected for temporary chairman,....
  31. Book: May 1902 . The Giles City Directory of Colorado Springs Colorado City and Manitou . The Giles Directory Company . Colorado Springs, CO . 483 . 523 Grimes  Oliver P, sheriff..
  32. News: September 14, 1906 . El Paso County Republicans . The La Jara Chronicle . 11 . 28 . The following county officers were unanimously renominated: Sheriff, O. P. Grimes;.
  33. News: April 30, 1904 . Special to the News . The Rocky Mountain News . XLV . 121 . 10 . Sheriff W. R. Gilbert has tendered his resignation to become effective to-morrow and the county commissioners have appointed Undersheriff O. P. Grimes to fill his unexpired term..
  34. News: April 30, 1904 . Grimes Chosen as New Sheriff . The Pueblo Chieftain . LXV . 3 . 7 . Sheriff Gilbert, of El Paso county, having resigned his office owing to his private business taking up so much of his time. O. P. Grimes has been appointed to fill the vacancy..
  35. News: May 2, 1904 . O. P. Grimes . Rocky Mountain News . XLV . 123 . 10 . Recently Appointed to Vacancy Caused by Resignation of W. R. Gilbert.
  36. Web site: Manuscript Collections . O.P. Grimes was a former sheriff of El Paso County, ....
  37. Web site: Greeson . La Jean . Colorado .
  38. Book: 1901 . State of Colorado . Colorado Department of State . 25 . Sheriff, W. R. Gilbert.
  39. News: September 21, 1901 . El Paso County Republican Convention To-Day. . The Rocky Mountain News . XLII . 264 . 2 . W. H. Gilbert is without opposition so far as known for the nomination for sheriff..
  40. News: January 15, 1902 . NEW COUNTY OFFICIALS . The Pueblo Chieftain . 4 . Colorado Springs, Jan 14.—The new County officers assumed their duties at noon today. [...] W. R. Gilbert succeeds Don C. Goddard as sheriff..
  41. Book: May 1902 . Colorado Springs Directory . The Giles Directory Company . Colorado Springs, CO . 7 .
  42. News: November 9, 1899 . EL PASO FUSIONISTS ELECT TWO COUNTY OFFICERS. . The Rocky Mountain News . XL . 313 . 5 . It can be safely stated that the fusionists have elected Don Goddard as sheriff and....
  43. News: September 28, 1899 . El PASO PARTIES FUSE . The Rocky Mountain News . XL . 271 . 5 . For sheriff, Donald C. Goddard, ....
  44. News: November 11, 1899 . The Elections . The West Creek Mining News . III . 17 . 4 . In El Paso the fusionists elected Don C. Goddard as sheriff....
  45. Book: 1900 . Colorado Springs Directory . The Gazette Printing Company . Colorado Springs, CO . 6 .
  46. Book: April 1901 . Colorado Springs Directory . The Giles Directory Company . Colorado Springs, CO . 6 .
  47. News: December 15, 1909 . W. S. Boynton, Well Known Here, Dies at His Home in Denver. . The Republican-Advocate . XXV . 12 .
  48. News: December 8, 1909 . W. S. BOYNTON DIES AFTER LONG CAREER IN POLITICAL ARENA . The Rocky Mountain News . L . 342 . WINFIELD SCOTT BOYNTON, surveyor of customs at Denver, and one of the foremost Republican politicians of the state,....
  49. Book: 1896 . Colorado Springs Directory . The Gazette Printing Company . Colorado Springs, CO . 65 .
  50. Web site: January 10, 1900 . Special to the News . The Rocky Mountain News . XLI . 10 . 6 . W. S. Boynton, the retiring county sheriff, will go on the floor of the Colorado Springs Mining Stock exchange to represent the brokerage firm of Hundley & Miller. The following are the new officials: Clerk. W. H. Reed: treasurer, C. A. Tollen; sheriff, C. Goddard.
  51. News: November 5, 1891 . HOW COLORADO VOTED. . Pueblo Chieftain . 1 ., November 4.— In El Paso county there was a sweeping republican vote. The majority for Judge Helm is 634, the vote being 1,349 for Helm and 715 for Goddard. Cochran for attorney has 1,298, Hanna 1,155—Cochran's majority 143; Woodbury for commissioner has 1,401, Finnegan 715 — Woodbury's majority 338; Howbert for clerk has 1,671, Matthews 848—Howbert's majority 823; Bowers for sheriff has 1,428, Meier 1,081— majority 347;....
  52. Book: 1892 . Colorado Springs City Directory . 15 .
  53. Book: Everett, Derek . 1920 . Colorado Day by Day . University Press of Colorado . 9781646420070 . 153 . ...El Paso County sheriff M. F. Bowers appealed to Governor Davis Waite for help..
  54. News: September 29, 1889 . El Paso County Republicans . Rocky Mountain News . XXXI . 2 . The Republican county convention met here to-day and carried out a cut and dried programme as usual. Hon. Homer Grafton was temporary chairman and the temporary organization was made permanent. In some cases there were two candidates for nomination but the slate ticket went through without serious opposition. The nominations are as follows: County clerk, Frank Hewbert; treasurer, H. C. McCrery; auditor, E. G. Perkins; surveyor, H. I. Reid; sheriff, Leonard Jackson; ....
  55. News: Associated Press . December 9, 1932 . PIONEER COLORADO SHERIFF DIES AT 83 . The Rocky Mountain News . 83 . 354 . 1 . He was sheriff from 1887 to 1891..
  56. Book: 1888 . Colorado Springs Directory . S. N. Francis . Colorado Springs, CO . 42 .
  57. News: September 10, 1882 . El Paso Republicans . Rocky Mountain News . XXIII . 1 . L. C. Dana, present incumbent, was renominated for sheriff..
  58. News: March 17, 1882 . Weekly Register-Call . Weekly Register-Call . XX . 35 . 2 . becomes sheriff of El Paso in place of Walt Smith made U.S. Marshal..
  59. News: May 4, 1882 . A Grand Excursion . Rocky Mountain News . 23 . 2 . ...L. C. Dana Sheriff of El Paso county,....
  60. Book: 1886 . Colorado Springs Directory . S. N. Francis . Colorado Springs, CO . 74 . DANA L. C., sheriff El Paso Co., res 220 S. Cascade..
  61. March 11, 1882 . The New Marshal. . The Pueblo Daily Chieftain . 2 . Our dispatches convey the pleasant information that Sheriff Smith of this city has been nominated by President Arthur as United States marshal for Colorado. This is equivalent to a confirmation, as it was understood that no name would be sent in that was not satisfactory to both senators. The appointment will be particularly well received in this city, where Sheriff Smith has many friends. Mr. Smith has always been a strong republican..
  62. March 11, 1882 . The New Marshal. . The Pueblo Daily Chieftain . 2 . In 1874 he was elected justice of the peace, and held this office until his election as sheriff in 1879.. (Since elected in 1879, this means he directly succeeded Becker whose last day as sheriff is known.)
  63. News: April 30, 1881 . The Fremont County Record April 30, 1881 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. The Fremont County Record . 4 . 18 . 4 . Sheriff Walt. Smith, of El Paso county, was in town on Sunday bringing two prisoners for the penitentiary..
  64. News: July 13, 1881 . State House Items . Rocky Mountain News . XXII . 8 . Sheriff W. H. Smith, of El Paso county, was among the callers at the state house yesterday morning..
  65. News: November 30, 1881 . Monument . The Castle Rock Journal . II . 38 . 3 . Walt Smith, Sheriff of El Paso Co. was here on Saturday..
  66. News: September 18, 1875 . Election Returns . The Colorado Springs Gazette . III . 38 . 2 .
  67. News: October 4, 1877 . Election Notes . Rocky Mountain News . 4 . In El Paso county, Becker, democrat, is elected sheriff; ....
  68. The 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.
  69. News: September 25, 1875 . Official Directory . The Colorado Springs Gazette . III . 39 . 1 .
  70. Book: 1879 . Colorado Springs Directory . S. N. Francis . Colorado Springs, CO . 19 . Sheriff—Peter Becker, Democrat; [term expires 2d Tues. Jan. '80.].
  71. Book: Bancroft . Hubert Howe . Hubert Howe Bancroft . (Fuller) Barrett Victor . Frances Auretta . Frances Fuller Victor . 1890 . History of Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming, 1540–1888 . The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft . The History Company, Publishers . San Francisco . XXV . 624 . Peter Becker, born in Germany in 1848, immigrated to America in 1853 with his parents, who settled in Iowa. Remaining there until 1870, he then came to Colorado, and when the town of Colorado Springs was started, began business there as a harness-maker. He was elected sheriff of El Paso county in 1875, and reelected in 1877..
  72. News: November 16, 1881 . LAKE COUNTY'S SUCCESS. . Weekly Rocky Mountain News . XXIII . 4 . The office is not a new one to Mr. Becker, he having served two terms in the county of El Paso with credit to himself and honor to the people who elected him. Strangers could never understand why Peter Becker, a staunch democrat, could be elected sheriff of El Paso by a majority of over 500 in a county that was usually good for 400 republican majority..
  73. News: September 13, 1873 . Election Results . The Colorado Springs Gazette . I . 37 . 2 .
  74. News: September 18, 1875 . Official Directory . The Colorado Springs Gazette . III . 38 . 1 .
  75. News: September 25, 1875 . Official Directory . The Colorado Springs Gazette . III . 39 . 1 .
  76. News: August 29, 1874 . The Coming Election . Colorado Springs Gazette . II . 35 . 2 . C. Eubank, Democratic.. (This was his party while running for County Commissioner shortly after being sheriff. It seems reasonable to assume he did not switch parties.)
  77. Book: Emerson, E. R. . 1881 . History of Chaffee County . History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado . O. L Baskin & Co., Historical Publishers . Chicago . 889 . 514 . In 1869, he settled in El Paso County, and engaged in the cattle business. Here he was appointed Sheriff, by Judge Halleck,....
  78. News: September 14, 1871 . ELECTION RETURNS. . Daily Rocky Mountain News . XII . 1 . Sheriff,, Dem., has 99 majority over Templeton, Rep..
  79. News: January 4, 1873 . Official Directory . Colorado Springs Gazette . 1 .
  80. News: November 29, 1873 . SHERIFF'S SALE. . Colorado Springs Gazette . 1 . 48 . 3 .
  81. News: El Paso County Republican Convention. . Daily Rocky Mountain News . IX . 259 . 3 . 3d Precinct—J. C. Woodbury, A. J. Templeton. John Irvine..
  82. News: August 4, 1870 . Two Horse Theives Hung. . The Colorado Weekly Chieftain . 3 . 10 . 3 . He then rode down to the Fontaine and secured the services of Templeton, the noted trailer and thief hunter, and Sheriff of El Paso county. The two reached Pueblo at daylight on Monday morning,....
  83. News: El Paso's Convention . Rocky Mountain News . XXXIII . 2 . (assumes this is the same David Spielman but seems reasonable)
  84. News: September 6, 1913 . Monument Dedicated. . The Idaho Springs Siftings-News . 1 . 21 . 2 . A monument to the memory of Charles Everhart, who was killed and scalped by Navajo Indians on September 3, 1868, was unveiled here on the exact spot where the tragedy occurred. Speeches were delivered by Governor Ammons, David Spielman of Ouray, who was sheriff here at the time of the outrage,....
  85. News: April 9, 1863 . Alarming Intelligence. . Daily Rocky Mountain News . 3 . 190 . 2 . Sheriff Shapter, with a posse of a half dozen men repaired to the scene and found their worst fears realized..
  86. Book: Anderson, John Wesley . 2017 . Rankin Scott Kelly First Sheriff of El Paso County Colorado Territory . Rhyolite Press LLC . 9780979402371.
  87. Web site: Anderson . John Wesley . Rankin Scott Kelly (1826 – 1913) .
  88. Web site: El Paso County Sheriff's Office . El Paso County Sheriff's Office . Sheriff R. Scott Kelley was appointed Sheriff-the first of 29 men to hold that title....

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