History of the Greenville County Sheriffs Office 1786 - 1986 - 200 Years of Service
Entry/Object ID
RG134-08-09
Description
The History of the Greenville County Sheriff's Office (1786–1986) by Johnny Mack Brown chronicles two centuries of law enforcement evolution in Greenville County. Originating from the English "shire-reeve," the Sheriff's role adapted to local needs, marked by significant events such as the assassination of Sheriff Robert Maxwell in 1797, dramatic mob confrontations like the 1880s Simpsonville lynching case, and the 1947 lynching of Willie Earle that spurred reform. The mysterious 1927 murder of Sheriff Sam Willis and its eventual resolution further shaped the department’s history. By 1986, the office had modernized, becoming a professional force with nearly 200 officers.
