History:
Mercer County, Missouri was formed February 14th, 1845, and named after Hugh Mercer, a Revolutionary War General.
The very first Mercer County Jail was a log cabin built in 1846. Sometime after that a second log cabin jail was built. In 1874 just off the square on Broadway the brick jail was built and remained in operation until 1971 when the Sheriff's Office was moved into the basement of the Mercer County Courthouse where it still remains. The Jail was upgraded to double capacity in March of 2012.
The Sheriff of Mercer County has always been the highest ranking law enforcement officer within the county. He presides over 455 square miles with over 3,757 people (based on 2000 Census). The Sheriff's duties include maintaining the safety of the public, carrying out orders for the court, arresting and housing wanted persons, investigating crimes, extraditing those wanted by the Mercer County Courts from anywhere in the United States, transporting inmates to and from the Department of Corrections, and more.
The very first Mercer County Jail was a log cabin built in 1846. Sometime after that a second log cabin jail was built. In 1874 just off the square on Broadway the brick jail was built and remained in operation until 1971 when the Sheriff's Office was moved into the basement of the Mercer County Courthouse where it still remains. The Jail was upgraded to double capacity in March of 2012.
The Sheriff of Mercer County has always been the highest ranking law enforcement officer within the county. He presides over 455 square miles with over 3,757 people (based on 2000 Census). The Sheriff's duties include maintaining the safety of the public, carrying out orders for the court, arresting and housing wanted persons, investigating crimes, extraditing those wanted by the Mercer County Courts from anywhere in the United States, transporting inmates to and from the Department of Corrections, and more.
Past Sheriff's:
If you have any pictures of past Sheriffs e-mail to mercoso@grm.net or bring them to the office and we will add them here.
