History Of The Department

Sheriff Department's history

Since 1876, the City of St. Louis has had 27 Sheriffs, from John Finn presiding over the office the year St. Louis city separated from the County of St. Louis to our current Sheriff Alfred Montgomery.

The qualifications for Sheriff of St. Louis are identical to those credentials for President of the United States. The candidate must be 35 years of age, a natural-born citizen and a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years.

It is the Sheriff's duty to take charge of prisoners, to oversee juries, and to prevent breaches of the peace. The Sheriff also carries out the judgments of the county court. In St. Louis, the Sheriff serves the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis.

St. Louis Sheriffs Since 1876
Name Party Dates Served
Alfred Montgomery Democrat 2025-
Vernon Betts Democrat 2017-2024
James W. Murphy Democrat 1989-2016
Gordon D. Schweitzer Democrat 1979-1989
Benjamin L. Goins Democrat 1978
Raymond R. Percich Democrat 1972-1977
Martin L. Tozer Democrat 1953-1972
Thomas F. Callanan Democrat 1949-1953
John F. Dougherty Democrat 1945-1949
Thomas H. Quinn Democrat 1941-1945
James J. Fitzsimmons Democrat 1937-1941
Thomas R. Madden Democrat 1933-1937
George Strodtman Republican 1929-1933
Anton Schuler Republican 1925-1929
Charles E. Morstadt Republican 1921-1925
George P. Weinbrenner Republican 1917-1921
Joseph F. Dickmann Democrat 1913-1917
Louis Nolte Republican 1907-1913
Patrick H. Clarke Republican 1905-1907
Joseph F. Dickmann Demorat 1901-1905
John H. Pohlman Republican 1899-1901
Henry Troll Republican 1895-1897
Patrick Stead Democrat 1891-1895
John H. Pohlman Republican 1888-1891
Henry F. Harrington Democrat 1884-1888
Isaac M. Mason Republican 1880-1884
John Finn Democrat 1876-1880

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