Copyright 2025 - Ellis County Sheriffs Office

History of Sheriffs



Photo Sheriff Term
Brad Norman Brad Norman January 1, 2021 to Present
Charles Chuck Edge Charles "Chuck" Edge April 25, 2017 to January 1, 2021
Johnny Brown Johnny Brown January 1, 2009 to March 8, 2017
Ray Stewart Ray Stewart January 1, 1997 to January 1, 2009
John Gage John Gage November 8, 1988 - January 1, 1997
Barney Boyd Barney Boyd November 2, 1976 - January 1, 1989
Wayne McCollum Wayne McCollum November 6, 1956 - January 1, 1977; His twenty years of service is the longest in County history.
Edward Burl White Edward Burl White November 2, 1948 - January 1, 1956
Jess L. Cariker Jess L. Cariker November 5, 1940 - January 1, 1949
J.E. Roy J.E. Roy November 3, 1936 - January 1, 1941
Dave Fearis Dave Fearis November 8, 1933 - January 1, 1937
Headshot Generic Male Small John Davenport November 6, 1928 - January 1, 1933
Headshot Generic Male Small Joseph Leonard Loe November 4, 1924 - January 1, 1929
W. H. Forbes William Henry Forbes February 26, 1921 - January 1, 1925
George C. Sweatt George C. Sweatt November 5, 1918 - February 4, 1921
Headshot Generic Male Small Henry Dearborn November 3, 1914 - November 5, 1918
Headshot Generic Male Small A. W. Wilson November 8, 1910 - November 3, 1914
William Henry Forbes William Henry Forbes November 6, 1906 - November 8, 1910
Joe P. Minnick Joe P. Minnick November 4, 1902 - November 6, 1906
George C. Sweatt George C. Sweatt November 8, 1898 - November 8, 1902
William James McCue William James McCue November 6, 1894 - November 8, 1898; moved to Henrietta, Texas where he served as
sheriff of Clay County, Texas
Headshot Generic Male Small James M. Meredith November 8, 1882 - November 6, 1894; first native of county to hold office; died in Austin.
Headshot Generic Male Small W. P. Watt November 6, 1888 - November 8. 1892
Headshot Generic Male Small John Braly November 7, 1882 - November 4, 1884
Headshot Generic Male Small W. D. "Wash” Ryburn February 15, 1876 - November 7, 1882
Headshot Generic Male Small John T. King December 2, 1873 - February 15, 1876
Headshot Generic Male Small C. K. Goodwyn February 17, 1870 by special order Gen. J. J. Reynolds; served until December 2, 1873
Headshot Generic Male Small John T. King December 3, 1869 - February 17, 1870; may have been removed by military order
Headshot Generic Male Small James Yarborough September 16, 1869 by Gen. Reynolds Special Order; did not qualify.
Headshot Generic Male Small Peter W. Williams July 3, 1867 - Sept. 16, 1869 when removed by order of Gen. J. J. Reynolds.
Headshot Generic Male Small Charles Foster December 24, 1866 - July 1867
Headshot Generic Male Small George B. Sweatt June 25, 1866 - December 1866
Headshot Generic Male Small Mattnew Skein August 31, 1865 - June 25, 1866
Headshot Generic Male Small M. B. Lanksford August 4, 1862 - August 31, 1865
Headshot Generic Male Small John King April 6, 1861 - August 4, 1862
Headshot Generic Male Small Albert A. Foster August 6, 1860 - April 1861
John G. Williams John G. Williams February 27, 1858 - August 6, 1860; laid to rest in Waxahachie Cemetery
Headshot Generic Male Small James W. Cartney August 4, 1856 - February 7, 1858
Headshot Generic Male Small Jonathan E. Price December 31, 1852 - August 4, 1856
Headshot Generic Male Small Harvey W. Young February 7, 1851 - December 1852
Headshot Generic Male Small William H. H. Bradford August 5, 1850 - January 14, 1851


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