Sheriffs of Val Verde County
This is from the valverdesheriff.com website, which is no longer online. I don't have information on the date it was written.The history of the Office of Sheriff dates to the 9th Century and the Anglo-Saxon period.
When government in America was founded, the Office of Sheriff was established. Early records of Spanish and Mexican government in America included the Office of Alguacil (Sheriff). History indicates in 1827, S. F. Austin requested and received authorization for establishment of Constitutional Government in his colony. The first Sheriff in Texas was then appointed in 1828.
The Office of Sheriff is prominent in Texas history. Every Texas Constitution since 1836 has established this Office.
Prior to 1954, the Sheriff was elected biennially. In November 1954, the Texas Constitution was amended increasing the term from two years to four years.
There have been eleven men who have served as the elected Sheriff during the history of the County.
Two men have been appointed to serve as interim Sheriff.
Here are the Sheriffs of Val Verde County, in order of succession:
1. Sheriff W. H. Jones 1885 - 1890
1st Elected Sheriff of Val Verde County
May 2, 1885, Elected, First Time
November 2, 1886, Re-Elected
November 6, 1888, Re-Elected
November 4, 1890, Re-Elected
December 9, 1890, Left Office as failed to qualify.
2. Interim Sheriff Aug. H. Kieffer 1890 - 1892
1st Appointed Sheriff of Val Verde County
December 9, 1890, Appointed
November 8, 1892, Left Office
3. Sheriff W. H. Jones 1892 - 1898
1st Elected Sheriff of Val Verde County, Re-Elected
November 8, 1892 Elected, Second Time
November 6, 1892, Re-Elected
November 3, 1896, Re-Elected
November 8, 1898, Left Office
4. Sheriff John W. Almond 1898 - 1900
2nd Elected Sheriff of Val Verde County
November 8, 1898, Elected
November 6, 1900, Left Office
5. Sheriff John B. Wernette 1900 - 1902
3rd Elected Sheriff of Val Verde County
November 6, 1900, Elected
November 4, 1902, Left Office
6. Sheriff John F. Robinson 1902 - 1908
4th Elected Sheriff of Val Verde County
November 4, 1902, Elected
November 8, 1904, Re-Elected
November 6, 1906, Re-Elected
November 3, 1908, Left Office
7. Sheriff C. C. Hartley 1908 -1910
5th Elected Sheriff of Val Verde County
November 3, 1908, Elected
November 8, 1910, Left Office
8. Sheriff John F. Robinson 1910 - 1914
4th Elected Sheriff of Val Verde County, Re-Elected
November 8, 1910, Elected Second Time
November 5, 1912, Re-Elected
November 5, 1914, Left Office
9. Sheriff John W. Almond 1914 - 1918
2nd Elected Sheriff of Val Verde County, Re-Elected
November 5, 1914, Elected, Second Time
November 7, 1916, Re-Elected
November 5, 1918, Left Office
10. Sheriff F. M. Rose 1918 - 1920
6th Elected Sheriff of Val Verde County
November 5, 1918, Elected
November 2, 1920, Left Office
11. Sheriff M. L. Whistler 1920 - 1935
7th Elected Sheriff of Val Verde County
November 2, 1920, Elected
November 7, 1922, Re-Elected
November 4, 1924, Re-Elected
November 2, 1926, Re-Elected
November 6, 1928, Re-Elected
November 8, 1930, Re-Elected
November 8, 1932, Re-Elected
January 1, 1935, Left Office
12. Sheriff Albert E. Steinmetz 1935 - 1954
8th Elected Sheriff of Val Verde County
November 6, 1934, Elected
November 3, 1936, Re-Elected
November 8, 1938, Re-Elected
November 5, 1940, Re-Elected
November 3, 1942, Re-Elected
November 7, 1944, Re-Elected
November 5, 1946, Re-Elected
November 2, 1948, Re-Elected
November 7, 1950, Re-Elected
November 4, 1952, Re-Elected
January 1, 1955, Left Office
13. Sheriff Herman J. Richter 1954 - 1977
9th Elected Sheriff of Val Verde County
November 2, 1954, Elected
November 6, 1956, Re-Elected
November 8, 1960, Re-Elected
November 3, 1964, Re-Elected
November 5, 1968, Re-Elected
November 7, 1972, Re-Elected
January 1, 1977, Left Office, Retired
14. Sheriff James R. Koog 1977 - 1995
10th Elected Sheriff of Val Verde County
November 2, 1976, Elected
January 1, 1977, Oath of Office
November 4, 1980, Re-Elected
November 6, 1984, Re-Elected
November 8, 1988, Re-Elected
November , 1992, Re-Elected
December 31,1995, Retired 1 Year Early
15. Interim Sheriff Oscar Gonzalez 1996 - 1997
2nd Appointed Sheriff of Val Verde County
January 1, 1996, Appointed
December , 1996, Temporary Restraining Order issued by Federal Judge Fred Biery on behalf of Gonzalez restraining A.D. Jernigan, winner of November 3rd, 1996 Election, from taking Oath. Lawsuit was based on plaintiffs allegations the Hispanic vote had been diluted.
December 31, 1996, Appointment Ends
June 23, 1997, Left Office, Court challenge failed
16. Sheriff A. D'Wayne Jernigan 1997 - Present
11th Elected Sheriff of Val Verde County
November 5, 1996, Elected
January 1, 1997, Oath Scheduled
June 23, 1997, Oath of Office