| History In 1744 the Virginia General Assembly created Albemarle County by cutting off the northern portion of Goochland County. The county seat was established at Scott's landing on the James River, in the heart of the new Albemarle County, when six magistrates were sworn in on the last day of February 1745. The Albemarle County Sheriff's Office was created in 1745 and Joseph Thompson was appointed as the county's first sheriff. In the early years of Albemarle County, sheriffs were appointed to office for a two year term. It was not until 1895 that the citizens of Albemarle County elected the sheriff to a four year term in office. Lucian Watts became the first elected sheriff of the county and served until 1911. The Albemarle County Sheriff's Office served as the primary law enforcement agency in the county until 1983 when the Albemarle County Police Department was formed. Sheriff George W. Bailey served as sheriff and as the first police chief of the newly formed police department. Although the duties of the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office have changed over the years, it still proudly serves the citizens of Albemarle County. Today, the sheriff's office is responsible for court security, prisoner transportation, and the service of civil process. For additional history and stories of the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office please read "The Golden Badge" by Al Highsmith. | ||
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The Sheriffs of Albemarle County | ||
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J. E. "Chip" Harding 2008 - Present | |
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Edgar S. "Ed" Robb 2000 - 2007 | |
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1988 - 1999 Terry Hawkins | |
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1970 - 1987 George W. Bailey | |
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1952 - 1970 W. Shirley Cook | |
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1922 - 1951 J. Mason Smith | |
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1912 - 1921 C. M. Thomas | |
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1895 - 1911 Lucian Watts | |
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1851 – Charles Cocke 1849 – Thomas H. Brown 1847 – Richard Duke 1845 – Benjamin Ficklin 1843 – James Michie 1841 – Charles Brown 1839 – Francis Carr 1837 – William Woods, S. 1836 – Micajah Woods 1834 – Parmenas Rogers 1832 – John Rodes 1830 – Garrett White 1828 – William D. Meriwether 1825 – John Watson 1823 – Achilles Douglass 1821 – Charles Yancey 1819 – Charles Wingfield Jr. 1817 – Robert Davis 1815 – Benjamin Harris 1813 – Charles B. Hunton 1811 – Rice Garland 1809 – Tandy Key 1807 – Thomas Garth 1805 – Bezaleel Brown 1803 – William Michie 1801 – William D. Meriwether 1799 – Samuel Murrell 1797 – William Hughes 1795 – John Key 1793 – James Kerr 1791 – James Garland 1789 – Michael Thomas 1787 – George Gilmer 1785 – John Marks 1783 – Clifton Rodes 1781 – James Quarles 1757 – John
Hunter, Nickolas Lewis,
1755 – John Reid 1753 – Samuel Jordan 1751 – James Daniel 1749 – Charles Lynch 1747 – Edwin Hickman 1745 – Joseph Thompson | |
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Special thanks to: | ||
Sheriff
J. E.
"Chip" Harding
Albemarle Sheriff's Office
411 E. High
Street Bldg B
Charlottesville, Va 22902
(434)972-4001