About Us

Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office History

Calhoun County was established by the Legislature December 18, 1832 as Benton County, honoring Col. Thomas Hart Benton, field officer in command of Fort Montgomery in Baldwin County during the Creek War. The county was renamed in 1858 in honor of John C. Calhoun, American statesman from South Carolina and Vice President, 1825-1832.

The Sheriff’s Office has occupied several courthouses and jails since the birth of our county. The first of which were located in the original county seat, Jacksonville. In 1899, the county seat moved to Anniston, where we still occupy the courthouse from that year.

We love documenting and preserving our history! If you have any questions, or if you have any artifacts relating to the Sheriff’s Office, please contact Capt. Falon Hurst at 256-241-3655, or fhurst@calcoso.org.

Sheriffs of Benton (1832-1858) and Calhoun (1858-Present) County

  • Vacant – 1832-1833
  • James Brown – 1833-1835
  • William O’Rear – 1835-1838
  • William C. Price – 1838-1842
  • Robert S. Porter – 1842-1845
  • William J. Willis – 1845-1848
  • Caldwell Sublett – 1848-1851
  • Alfred Moore – 1850-1853
  • Alexander Brown – 1853-1856
  • James B. Farmer – 1856-1859
  • Fielding Love – 1859-1863
  • William B. Owen – 1863-1864
  • James B. Farmer – 1864-1865
  • James D.L. Shuford – 1865-1865
  • J.M. Anderson – 1865-1866
  • Samuel D. McClellan – 1866-1867
  • Robert Alexander – 1867-1868
  • Jackson W. Williams – 1868-1871
  • Clement P. Read – 1871-1874
  • Alexander O. Stewart – 1874-1877
  • David Z. Goodlett – 1877-1880
  • James B. Farmer – 1880-1884
  • Minus W. Woodruff – 1884-1888
  • Lawson P. Carpenter – 1888-1892
  • Edmund G. Caldwell – 1892-1896
  • Nicholas D. Meharg – 1896-1900
  • Minus W. Woodruff – 1900-1907
  • William C. Legrand – 1907-1911
  • Charles T. Brooks – 1911-1915
  • Abner H. Borders – 1915-1919
  • William E. Parker – 1919-1923
  • William P. Knighton – 1923-1927
  • William E. Parker – 1927-1931
  • Abner H. Borders – 1931-1935
  • Peter W. Cotton – 1935-1939
  • William L. Borders – 1939-1947
  • Aaron A. Pate – 1947-1955
  • Roy C. Snead, Sr. – 1955-1970
  • Edward O. Heptinstall – 1970-1970 (coroner, acting)
  • Gerald Powell – 1970-1970
  • Roy C. Snead, Jr. – 1970-1990
  • Ralph M. Phillips – 1990-1991 (coroner, acting)
  • Roy C. Snead, Jr. – 1991-1995
  • Larry D. Amerson – 1995-2016
  • Matthew W. Wade – 2016-Present