| The office of sheriff is the oldest known law enforcement agency within the Common Law System. Sheriffs of England can trace 1,000 years of history. Like many functions of government, the office of sheriff was formed because of the need to maintain order in a developing society and to provide protection for the community. Through the years, particularly in the West, we have had many legendary sheriffs, such as Bart Masterson, Wild Bill Hickock and Pat Garrett. In 1841, the killing of a wealthy pioneer brought about William Johnson being chosen as Oregon’s first sheriff. In May 1842, Oregon took the first steps toward a formalized government and Joseph Meek was named Sheriff of Oregon. In 1845, the provisional government approved the election of sheriffs in each of Oregon’s five counties. Malheur County named Henry C. Murray as its first sheriff in 1887.
 Travis Johnson became Malheur County’s 17th sheriff in April 2023. Previously he worked as the Undersheriff for the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriffs and their deputies provide public safety service by mandate or tradition. Today’s sheriffs are responsible for protecting human life, the public peace and order, the protection of the rights of individuals and their property, the prevention of crime and the enforcement of laws without discrimination. Over the years, the law enforcement profession has become very sophisticated as citizens have come to rely on us for more and more intervention and protection. The types of crimes and the criminals have become more complex and the system has become overburdened attempting to meet the need in traditional ways.
Today, more than ever, sheriffs need the support of citizens to maintain the livability and safety of our communities.
*Reprinted from Oregon Sheriff
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