Following the early history of the English sheriff and sheriffs in the colonies and the American West, attention is paid to the contemporary sheriff in the 20th Century. The author notes that the sheriff operates in various capacities in 49 States: conservator of the peace, jailer, court bailiff, server of civil and criminal process, and collector. As a group, sheriffs have become more trained and professional, especially in suburban Illinois counties. Sheriff operations are affected by personal and organizational attitudes and personal styles. Political pressures experienced by sheriffs as elected officials are considered, particularly the issue of whether a sheriff's operational effectiveness is impaired by politics. The extent of corruption among sheriffs is explored, and the impact of technology on the future role of sheriffs is assessed. References, tables, and exhibits