Our History
1855
1855
When Arapahoe County was created on August 25, 1855 by Kansas Territorial acting Governor Dan Woodson, he was also directed to appoint a sheriff, treasurer and a surveyor. This is the first known reference to an Arapahoe County sheriff. Due to a lack of records, it’s not known if the directions were ever acted upon.
First recorded Sheriff E.W. Wynkoop (Arapahoe County, Kansas Territory) E.W. Wynkoop arrived in the county in 1858 and was appointed by Governor James W. Denver of the Territory of Kansas to serve as sheriff. Unfortunately, the residents had their own ideas about how to run their settlements. They refused to recognize the newly created judicial system’s presumed author, the courts, or the sheriff. Wynkoop held the title of sheriff in the fall of 1858 through the spring of 1859 and then, off and on in 1860 and 1861. According to the Denver Inter-Ocean, he had a reputation as a “badman from Kansas who work buckskin breeches and carried a bowie knife and revolver in his belt.” Wynkoop allegedly would “never start a fight – but would never walk away from one either.” For a time between 1859 and 1860 there are TWO sets of officials, elected and/or appointed at the same time. One was for Arapahoe County, Kansas Territory, the other was for Arapahoe County, Jefferson Territory.
1858
First recorded Sheriff E.W. Wynkoop (Arapahoe County, Kansas Territory) E.W. Wynkoop arrived in the county in 1858 and was appointed by Governor James W. Denver of the Territory of Kansas to serve as sheriff. Unfortunately, the residents had their own ideas about how to run their settlements. They refused to recognize the newly created judicial system’s presumed author, the courts, or the sheriff. Wynkoop held the title of sheriff in the fall of 1858 through the spring of 1859 and then, off and on in 1860 and 1861. According to the Denver Inter-Ocean, he had a reputation as a “badman from Kansas who work buckskin breeches and carried a bowie knife and revolver in his belt.” Wynkoop allegedly would “never start a fight – but would never walk away from one either.” For a time between 1859 and 1860 there are TWO sets of officials, elected and/or appointed at the same time. One was for Arapahoe County, Kansas Territory, the other was for Arapahoe County, Jefferson Territory.
1859
1859
Daniel D. Cook (Arapahoe County, Kansas Territory) Served in the early days of 1859. Believed to have returned to Kansas.
William H. Middaugh (Arapahoe County, Kansas Territory) Was the earliest active sheriff in the county. He was murdered near Julesburg in 1862. Read about the sheriff’s pursuit of murderer James A. Gordon.
John H. Kehler (Arapahoe County, Jefferson Territory) Kehler became Sheriff of Gilpin County in February 1861. He was killed in the line of duty in August 1861.
Hezekiah H.C. Harrison (Arapahoe County, Kansas Territory) Owned the "Star Saloon" in Denver. Left Denver in 1861 for New Mexico. Served as Lieutenant in U.S. Civil War regiment under Colonel Kit Carson..
1860
Hezekiah H.C. Harrison (Arapahoe County, Kansas Territory) Owned the "Star Saloon" in Denver. Left Denver in 1861 for New Mexico. Served as Lieutenant in U.S. Civil War regiment under Colonel Kit Carson..
1861
1861
Richard Sopris (Arapahoe County, Colorado Territory)
Samuel Howe (Arapahoe County/Colorado Territory) In 1861, President James Buchanan created the Colorado Territory and appointed William Gilpin as governor. The first county seat was in Denver. The first county election for sheriff was held and Samuel Howe became the first elected sheriff. Also at this time, the sheriff’s office became the first county law enforcement agency in the Colorado Territory.
Robert S. Wilson - He was called “Uncle Bob.” He only served half of his term. Later in life, he was a judge, an auctioneer and owned the Tremont House Hotel.
Omer O. Kent - He served out the remainder of Wilson’s term. But he lost the election to Richard Sopris in 1865. He was later a judge, a teacher and superintendent of Denver Public Schools.
1864 - 1865
Robert S. Wilson - He was called “Uncle Bob.” He only served half of his term. Later in life, he was a judge, an auctioneer and owned the Tremont House Hotel.
Omer O. Kent - He served out the remainder of Wilson’s term. But he lost the election to Richard Sopris in 1865. He was later a judge, a teacher and superintendent of Denver Public Schools.
1865-1869
1865 - 1869
Richard Sopris - Sopris was elected to two terms. He later became a railroad builder, served as deputy sheriff for Sheriff Willoughby (1873-1878), and was elected mayor of Denver in 1878.
David J. Cook - He moved to Colorado for gold with his brother at age 19. They also pursed and captured a murderer, who was back for trial and hanged. After sheriff, he joined the U.S. Army for the civil war. He was also city marshal of Denver from 1866-1869. He founded the Rocky Mountain Detective Association, which was similar to Pinkerton’s. Read a Tribute to Sheriff Cook. Learn about Deputy Frank Smith, Cook’s most trusted friend.
1869 - 1873
David J. Cook - He moved to Colorado for gold with his brother at age 19. They also pursed and captured a murderer, who was back for trial and hanged. After sheriff, he joined the U.S. Army for the civil war. He was also city marshal of Denver from 1866-1869. He founded the Rocky Mountain Detective Association, which was similar to Pinkerton’s. Read a Tribute to Sheriff Cook. Learn about Deputy Frank Smith, Cook’s most trusted friend.
1873 – 1875
1869 - 1873
Edmond A. Willoughby
David J. Cook - Served a second term as sheriff, as Colorado became a state on July 4, 1876. Cook later served as major general of the Colorado militia.
1875 - 1880
David J. Cook - Served a second term as sheriff, as Colorado became a state on July 4, 1876. Cook later served as major general of the Colorado militia.
1880-1884
1880 - 1884
Michael Spangler - Spangler was a banker before and after he served as sheriff. He appointed the first African American lawman in Colorado’s history, Deputy Henry O. Wagoner in 1880-1883.
George Graham
1884 – 1886
George Graham
1886 - 1888
1886 - 1888
Frederick Cramer - He was sheriff when Deputy Hollingsworth was killed by Newt Force, who was then captured by Deputy John Chivington. Sheriff Cramer appointed William Barclay “Bat Masterson as a deputy, who served from 1886-1887.
Albert H. Weber
1888 - 1890
Albert H. Weber
1890 - 1891
1890 - 1891
Elias A. Barton
William K. Burchinell - He was the sheriff during the City Hall War of 1864. He purchased 50 Win. Mod. 1886 rifles engraved with “Arapahoe County.”
1891 - 1896
William K. Burchinell - He was the sheriff during the City Hall War of 1864. He purchased 50 Win. Mod. 1886 rifles engraved with “Arapahoe County.”
1896 -1898
1896 - 1898
Elias H. Webb - He died in office.
William K. Burchinell - He was appointed sheriff by the county commissioners after Sheriff Web died in office.
1898 -1900
William K. Burchinell - He was appointed sheriff by the county commissioners after Sheriff Web died in office.
1900 – 1902
1900 - 1902
Robert J. Jones
David D. Seerie - He was the last sheriff of Arapahoe County when Denver was a county seat. He lost his office due to the political changes, sued and lost. He owned the construction company Geddis and Seerie and built the Brown Palace and other building. He appointed the first female deputy, A.M. Quinn on April 12, 1902 as “Matron” of the jail.
1902
David D. Seerie - He was the last sheriff of Arapahoe County when Denver was a county seat. He lost his office due to the political changes, sued and lost. He owned the construction company Geddis and Seerie and built the Brown Palace and other building. He appointed the first female deputy, A.M. Quinn on April 12, 1902 as “Matron” of the jail.
1902 – 1907
1902 - 1907
Charles S. Gallagher
George E. Beach
1907 – 1909
George E. Beach
1909 – 1911
1909 - 1911
Joseph A. Skerritt
George Kinkel
1911 – 1915
George Kinkel
1915 – 1916
1915 - 1916
J.W. McBroom
In 1915, the life of a policeman was bleak. In many communities, they were forced to work 12-hour days, 365 days a year. Police officers didn’t like it, but there was little they could do to change their working conditions. There were no organizations to make their voices heard; no other means to make their grievances known.
This soon changed, thanks to the courage and wisdom of two Pittsburgh patrol officers. Martin Toole and Delbert Nagle knew they must first organize police officers, like other labor interests if they were to be successful in making life better for themselves and their fellow police officers. They and 21 others “who were willing to take a chance” met on May 14, 1915, and held the first meeting of the Fraternal Order of Police. They formed Fort Pitt Lodge #1.
They decided on this name due to the anti-union sentiment of the time. However, there was no mistaking their intentions. As they told their city mayor, Joe Armstrong, the FOP would be the means “to bring our grievances before the Mayor or Council and have many things adjusted that we are unable to present in any other way…we could get many things through our legislature that our Council will not, or cannot give us.”
And so it began, a tradition of police officers representing police officers. The Fraternal Order of Police was given life by two dedicated police officers determined to better their profession and those who choose to protect and serve our communities, our states, and our country.
It was not long afterward that Mayor Armstrong was congratulating the Fraternal Order of Police for their “strong influence in the legislatures in various states,…their considerate and charitable efforts” on behalf of the officers in need and for the FOP’s “efforts at increasing the public confidence toward the police to the benefit of the peace, as well as the public.”
Edward F. Burden
From that small beginning the Fraternal Order of Police began growing steadily. In 1917, the idea of a National Organization of Police Officers came about. Today, the tradition that was first envisioned over 94 years ago lives on with more than 2,100 local lodges and nearly 325,000 members in the United States.
The Fraternal Order of Police has become the largest professional police organization in the country. The FOP continues to grow because we have been true to the tradition and continued to build on it. The Fraternal Order of Police are proud professionals working on behalf of law enforcement officers from all ranks and levels of government.
1917 - 1921
Edward F. Burden
From that small beginning the Fraternal Order of Police began growing steadily. In 1917, the idea of a National Organization of Police Officers came about. Today, the tradition that was first envisioned over 94 years ago lives on with more than 2,100 local lodges and nearly 325,000 members in the United States.
The Fraternal Order of Police has become the largest professional police organization in the country. The FOP continues to grow because we have been true to the tradition and continued to build on it. The Fraternal Order of Police are proud professionals working on behalf of law enforcement officers from all ranks and levels of government.
Robert G. McNamara
1921 - 1923
Robert G. McNamara
1923 - 1925
1923 - 1925
John F. Bennett
John M. Haynes
1925 - 1933
John M. Haynes
1933 - 1943
1933 - 1943
Edward E. Monzingo - Sheriff Monzingo bought the first police radios and a Thompson Sub-Machine guns for deputies to carry.
Charles L. “Chick” Foster - Sheriff Foster grew his staff from three to 41. He created a 30-man posse. He also was the first to put police decals on cars, and get police cameras and uniforms. He also created the Investigations Division and formal training.
1943 - 1963
Charles L. “Chick” Foster - Sheriff Foster grew his staff from three to 41. He created a 30-man posse. He also was the first to put police decals on cars, and get police cameras and uniforms. He also created the Investigations Division and formal training.
1963 - 1973
1963 - 1973
Roy R. Vogt - Sheriff Vogt created the Crime Lab and was the first sheriff to not live at the jail. He died in office.
Phil Baker
1973 - 1975
Phil Baker
1975 - 1979
1975 - 1979
Arnold L. Miller - Sheriff Miller expanded the sheriff’s office, changed uniforms to the color maroon, and changed the color of the cars from solid blue to white with blue trim. He also put education requirements in place and started testing for promotion.
Ed D. Nelson
1979 - 1984
Ed D. Nelson
1984 - 2002
1984 - 2002
Patrick J. Sullivan, Jr.
1990 - The Arapahoe FOP Lodge 31 was started on April 30th, 1990 by members of the then Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Employee Association. Over the years the lodge has grown to over 500+ members making it the second largest in the state behind the Aurora Police Department.
J. Grayson Robinson
2002 - 2014
J. Grayson Robinson
2014 - 2018
2014 - 2018
David C. Walcher
Present Tyler Brown - Tyler Brown was elected sheriff in the general election on November 6, 2018. Read more about Sheriff Brown.
2023 - Lodge 31 began the collective bargaining process with Arapahoe County Government.
2018 - Present
Present Tyler Brown - Tyler Brown (Democrat) was elected sheriff in the general election on November 6, 2018. Read more about Sheriff Brown.