Sheriff 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 35 men have served as Wapello County Sheriff since Sheriff Peck’s appointment in 1844 to the current Sheriff Don Phillips.
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 - 2012: Donald C. Kirkendall
- 2012 - 2018: Mark H. Miller
- 2019 - Current: Don Phillips
