1. HISTORY OF THE
CLAY COUNTY
SHERIFF’S OFFICE

2. Clay County Sheriffs Elam J. Daniels 1859-1863
Joshua D. O’Hern
William Wilson
John W. Sullivan
Henry Bradford
Thomas Roberts
James W. Dewitt (Died in 1885)

3. Spotlight on Sheriff O’Hern
Served
The Sheriff and Justices of the Peace were only “law enforcement” at time
Deserters from both Civil War armies robbing and pillaging across county
“County Patrols” were attempted to reduce looting
Early Clay County settler, timber and cattle farmer
Lieutenant in the 2nd Florida Battalion
Linked to the sinking of the Maple Leaf in 1864

4. Sheriffs Cont’d.
Claiborne (Clay) Wright Feb.16-July , (Went Missing.)
Christian Black Aug
Josephus A. Peeler May 10, 1894, (Killed on Duty age 36)
J. M. Beery (acting Sheriff) May 10-May 22
George W. Hanford Jr

5. Spotlight on Sheriff Peeler
Served
Shot and killed in 1894 while trying to stop an argument at the Green Cove Springs train station (was 36 years old)
During his term used prisoners to do manual labor around jail and courthouse
Old jail was moved to present site, then, new jail built in 1894
First female prisoners housed at jail during this time frame

6. Sheriffs Cont’d James Weeks 1895-1900
William F. Peeler (Josephus’ Brother)
Charles Wilson (Killed age 33)
R.C.Canova (acting Sheriff unitl Sept. 4, 1906

7. Spotlight on Sheriff James Weeks
Served ,
Middleburg farmer and Palatka logger
Resigned in 1900 to further his timber business but ran again in 1906
Turbulent time for county as attempts were made to desegregate school(s) in OP
Organized posse with Deputy Ivey to capture bank robbers after Green Cove Bank’s safe blown up; gun battle ensued

8. Sheriffs Cont’d
James Weeks Sept. 4, 1906-Aug. 24, 1911 (deceased in office, age 60)
L. T. Ivey (acting Sheriff) Aug. 24-Sept. 16, 1911
Theodore S. Cherry Sept. 16, 1911-July 6, 1913 ( Killed on duty)
J. H. King (disappeared)

9. Spotlight on Sheriff Cherry
Served
Killed in controversial shoot out at lynch party camp site (murdered vs. assassinated)
The suspect, a turpentine worker, was shot and killed by lynch party on the same day
Tourist industry along the St. Johns River managed to thrive during period despite civil disorder rampant inland
Cherry was known to face any criminal head on

10. Sheriffs Cont’d J. Slater Smith, Sr. 1917-1918 Elam J. Weeks 1918-1929
John P. Hall, Sr
Jennings Murrhee
C. Dalton Bray
Scott Lancaster
Rick Beseler Present

11. Spotlight on Sheriff Hall
Served
Longest serving Sheriff; known as the “Dean of Sheriffs”; a cattleman and banker, too
During early terms, tackled prohibition issues
During later terms, issues of population growth, civil rights, and agency expansion
Was determined to “clean up Clay County”
First Sheriff with Model-A for transport vs. horseback
Only two paved roads
No radio-equipped patrol cars

12. Spotlight on Sheriff Murrhee
Served
Rapid population growth
Big emphasis on Community Policing and SRO’s
“New” jail constructed
Reserves Program expanded greatly
Tackled “road rage” problem in the 1980’s
Traffic Unit formed
First true 24-hour patrol
Organized agency into divisions
Crime Prevention programs
Set up SWAT Team and Multi-agency Drug Task Force

13. Spotlight on Sheriff Bray
Served
Jump-started modernization of agency
Dealt aggressively with county’s drug use/sale problem and suburban crime
During term, created first internal investigation unit
Created FTO Program
Establishment of P.A.L.
Former Orange Park Police Department Chief, FDLE Agent, and FBI Special Agent

14. Spotlight on Sheriff Lancaster
Served three terms, 1992 to 2004.
Agency accomplished largest crime decrease in modern CCSO history (15% decrease in 2002 versus 2001)
Tackling county issues such as population growth, urban crawl, police technology needs, violent crime increases, community policing, school violence
Major jail and administrative office expansion project
National, State & Jail Accreditation obtained
Marine Patrol Unit created
Stop Stations (8) opened and Operations Centers in community established (2 in OP and Middleburg)

15. The History of the Clay County Jail