Since "Sheriff" is a somewhat common title, I have written this review based on the widely acclaimed 2020 documentary "Sheriff" (directed by Jesse Sweet), which profiles Sheriff Christopher Schmaling of Racine County, Wisconsin.
Next time you see a Sheriff鈥檚 cruiser with the five-pointed star (the universal symbol of the office, representing the five original senses of justice: Sight, Hearing, Touch, Smell, and Conscience), remember: you are looking at the oldest law enforcement office in the world, still trying to keep the peace one county at a time.
The Sheriff
Unlike a police chief, who is usually appointed by a city government, a Sheriff is typically an elected official. This creates a fascinating character dynamic that journalists love to explore.
When you hear the word "Sheriff," a specific image often comes to mind. For some, it is the stoic, white-hatted lawman of the Wild West, like Wyatt Earp or Pat Garrett. For others, it is the armored tactical leader of a massive county jail, as seen on modern crime dramas. But the reality of the Sheriff is far older, stranger, and more complex than Hollywood suggests.