Sheriff's History

 

Since the County's beginning on March 1st, 1844, the Office of County Sheriff has been at the forefront of Law Enforcement in Wapello County.  The Territorial Legislature made two appointments; James M. Peck was appointed Sheriff and Judge H.B. Henderschott as Clerk.  One month later on April 1st, 1844 the first election in Wapello County elected Joseph Hayne as Sheriff. 

 

The records indicate that 34 men have served as Wapello County Sheriff since Sheriff Peck’s appointment in 1844 to the current Sheriff Don Kirkendall.  Sheriff Kirkendall has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 1980 and has served as Sheriff since January 1997.

 

Sheriff Timeline

Mar. 1844    James M. Peck

1844-1849   Joseph Hayne

1849-1853   Duane F. Gaylord

1853-1855   D.H. Michael

1855-1857   William H. Williams

1857-1859   William Lewis Jr.

1859-????    L.E. Gray

????-1865    A.M. Bonnifield

1865-1867   George A. Derby

1867-1869   Thomas Bedwell

1869-1873   Samuel A. Swiggett

1873-1877   T.E. Spillman

1877-1880   D.W. Stewart

1880-1884   Sim. Chaney

1884-1888   J.W. Workman

1888-1890   L.J. Michael

1890-1894   J.W. McAntire

1894-1898   Thomas Stodghill

1898-1902   B.F. Slutts

1902-1906   J.H. Cremer

1906-1910   W.W. Jackson

1910-1914   W.E. Knox

1914-1918   C.C. Cremer

1918-1922   George H. Giltner

1922-1926   Henry Richards

1926-1928   Mason L. Kussart

1928-1932   Ralph Baker

1932-1940   C.E. Harding

1940-1948   Mike Mier

1948-1956   Everett Orman

1956-1964   Clifford Riley

1964-1972   Russell Watters

1972-1997   Bud C. Erwin

1997-          Donald C. Kirkendal