Sheriff

A sheriff is a government official, with varying duties, existing in some countries with historical ties to England, where the office originated. Historically, a sheriff was a legal official with responsibility for a "shire" or county (the word "sheriff" is a contraction of "shire reeve"). In modern times, the specific combination of legal, political and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from county to county. Quotes SHERIFF, n. In America the chief executive office of a country, whose most characteristic duties, in some of the Western and Southern States, are the catching and hanging of rogues. Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary (1911). It would look very strange, when the Commons of England are so fond of their right of sending representatives to Parliament, that it should be in the power of a sheriff, or other officer, to deprive them of that right, and yet that they should have no remedy; it is a thing to be admired at by all mankind. John Holt, C.J., Ashby v. White (1703), 2 Raym. 954. I do really believe you, Mr. Sheriff; you have done like an honest man. John Keating, C.J., Case of John Price and others (1689), 12 How St. Tr. 625. Sheriff: [Hands Manco the reward money for Red Cavanaugh] Two thousand dollars. It's a lot of money. Takes me three years to earn it!Manco: Tell me, isn't the sheriff supposed to be courageous, loyal, and above all, honest?Sheriff: Yeah. That he is.Manco: [Pulls off sheriff's star and tosses it to the townspeople] I think you people need a new sheriff. Sergio Leone, Fulvio Morsella, and Luciano Vincenzoni, For a Few Dollars More (1965). I shot the sheriff / But I didn't shoot no deputy, oh no! Oh! Bob Marley, I Shot The Sheriff, from the album Burnin' (1973). The sheriffs of London have been immemorially the sheriff of Middlesex. Joseph Yates, J., Case of John Wilkes (1763), 19 How. St. Tr. 1096. External links sheriff Category:Occupations Category:Law