^{_{(Pictured above) Maricopa County Courthouse was opened on October 21, 1929. The Maricopa County jail, located on the upper floors, housed the largest number of inmates at the time: 223 inmates, including 23 woman.}}

Maricopa County was established in 1871, more than 40 years prior to Arizona statehood. In those early days, The Territory of Arizona (also known as Arizona Territory) had its own legislature, which oversaw the creation of counties and their governments. The territorial legislature wasted no time in creating three key governmental offices: a tax collector, a treasurer, and a sheriff.

By the time Arizona became the 48th state in 1912, the number of counties in Arizona had grown considerably and the demand for additional sheriffs was clear.

The Arizona State Constitution maintained that certain positions are to be elected by the people, rather than appointed by a governing board. The Office of Sheriff is such an elected position.

Today, the State of Arizona has 15 county Sheriffs. Each is elected to a four-year term and has a salary set by the state legislature. No matter the size, population, or complexity of services of their respective counties, all Arizona sheriffs earn the same salary.

Since those early beginnings in 1871, thirty-seven persons have served as Sheriff of Maricopa County, including Sheriff Paul Penzone. 

If you’ve ever wondered where the word “Sheriff” comes from, it’s a term that originated in Anglo Saxon Britain. “Sheriff” is derived from shire, an Old English word meaning “county.”

The Shire-Reeve was the official representative of the reigning monarch in each county, with “reeve” meaning “guardian.” In time, the Shire-Reeve became known as the “sheriff” and the double “F” in Sheriff hints at its esteemed history.