St. Mary’s County, Maryland is rich with American history, beginning with the landing of the Ark and the Dove on St. Clement Island in 1634. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is a significant piece of that historical affluence. Established in 1637, the St. Mary’s Office of the Sheriff is “America’s First”, oldest and continuously operational sheriff’s office in the nation. The year 2012 will herald the celebration of the office’s 375th anniversary.
To honor this milestone, Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron has selected a volunteer committee to research and record the Sheriff’s Office history in a commemorative book. The book will present the history of the office through a series of photographs, illustrations, artifacts, articles, newspaper clippings and interviews. It will touch upon each century of the office’s existence, and include information regarding traditional Sheriff’s duties and responsibilities, the impact of historical events on those duties, the development and implementation of law enforcement equipment used by deputies and correctional officers, and a pictorial evolution of the badges and patches of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. A history of the St. Mary’s County Jail will depict its progression from a room within the confines of the homes of former Sheriffs to a modern detention facility, and detail notorious crimes, great escapes, unsolved mysteries and other significant events and anecdotes which will inform and entertain the reader while providing facts concerning the evolution of the St. Mary’s County Office of the Sheriff.
Additionally, Sheriff Cameron would like to develop a historical exhibit of Sheriff’s Office related artifacts which he envisions displaying at various locations during the 2012 anniversary year. The Sheriff believes much of this historical data resides with the people of St. Mary’s County, past and present. He would like to invite anyone who wishes to contribute historical data, photographs, illustrations and artifacts to participate in the development of the book and/or the Sheriff’s Office historical exhibit.
St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Dfc. Cindy Allen has been designated as the contact person for these endeavors. Anyone wishing to contribute information, or who has questions concerning the book and/or display, may contact Dfc. Allen at 375sheriff@stmarysmd.com or call (301) 475-4200 ext. 9113.
Sheriff Cameron looks forward to working with the people of St. Mary’s County and all volunteers in bringing the rich history of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office to life.