Mission Statement:
 
 Our mission is to ensure the safety and well-being of Harrison County through the principles of teamwork, efficiency, transparency, and community policing. We believe that effective law enforcement is a collaborative effort, where the public, deputies, and community leaders work together to address the evolving challenges we face. We are committed to fostering trust through open communication and transparency, actively engaging our community in decisions that affect their safety. By prioritizing community-oriented policing, we aim to strengthen our relationships with residents, focusing on proactive solutions and problem-solving to create a safer, more connected community for all.
 
 Sincerely, Mark Touville  

 History of the Ohio Sheriff 

The Sheriffs of America have played a significant role in the history of our Nation, and the Sheriffs of Ohio are no exception to this heritage. A brief study of the history of Ohio reveals that Ohio Sheriffs have contributed greatly to the development of the Buckeye State. Until Ohio achieved statehood in 1803, the position of Sheriff was filled through appointments made at the pleasure of the Colonial Governor. The first Sheriff on the record in Ohio was Colonel Ebenezer Sproat. At the time he was appointed in 1788, Colonel Sproat's jurisdiction covered all of Washington County. This enormous area of land included all of eastern Ohio from the Ohio River to Lake Erie. After statehood became a reality, only three public offices in Ohio were filled through the electoral process system. The position of Sheriff was one of them. Through this new system, William Skinner became the first elected Sheriff in the Buckeye State. Since the early 1800's, Ohio Sheriffs have been elected on the county level by the people they serve. By virtue of this process, this office has become the oldest law enforcement position in the United States. It is also the only remaining law enforcement office which is filled through the election method. The term of office for County Sheriffs in Ohio is four years. In each of the 88 counties of Ohio, the Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer. His primary duties are to provide common pleas court services and corrections on a countywide basis, and full police protection to the unincorporated areas of the county. However, he also maintains full police jurisdiction in all municipalities, townships, and villages. In an effort to become consistent on a statewide level, Ohio Sheriffs and Deputies wear a standardized uniform, and all patrol vehicles are marked in the same manner. Within Ohio, Sheriff's Offices have probably one of the most extensive sets of responsibilities to those they serve. By statute they must provide the following:

Line Law Enforcement

Court Security and Service of Papers

Jail Operations

Extradition Process

Transportation of Prisoners

 Resource: www.buckeyesheriffs.org 

The Harrison County Sheriff's Office was formed in the year 1814 and at that time the first sheriff was appointed. The first Sheriff's Office was built in the 1820's, and in 1895 that building had burnt down. At that time the officials of Harrison County had constructed a new Sheriff's Office. (pictured below)

img alt="2nd Office.jpg" src="http://www.harrisoncountyohio.org/?action=media.media.read&id=16172&size=large" />
 Photo Courtesy of: Scott Pendleton, Harrison County Historical Society 


In the early 1900's The officials of Harrison County had constructed another building for the Sheriff's Office which stands today and is still known as the Harrison County Sheriff's Office. (pictured below)


 Photo Courtesy of: Scott Pendleton, Harrison County Historical Society 






 Photo Courtesy of: Marilyn Monzula which is an actual postcard that she had received. Believed to be from the 1930's 





With the help of employees at the Sheriff's Office along with former Sheriff Richard Rensi we have compiled a list of the past Sheriff's that have served the citizens of Harrison County since 1814. The list is as follows: