Atlantic County Sheriff's Office
Encyclopedia
The Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office is a law enforcement agency located in Atlantic County, New Jersey
, with countywide jurisdiction as mandated by the State Constitution of New Jersey
. The Sheriff
is responsible for providing a variety of functions associated with the judicial process and enforcement of law. The head of the organization is Sheriff Frank X. Balles
was established that same year, and decided on Mays Landing as the location for the County Seat
. Governor
Philemon Dickerson
appointed Isaac Smith as the first Sheriff
of Atlantic County. Sheriff Isaac Smith served as an appointed official until he was duly elected in the fall of 1837. At the time a sheriff's term in office was only one year. Sheriff Smith served three one-year terms. The sheriff's term in office was eventually changed to three years, but consecutive terms were not allowed until a constitutional change in 1947.
This first county jail was located on River Road in Mays Landing on the property of Captain John Pennington. Until a permanent building was constructed, court was held at Pennington’s Inn. In 1838 the first courthouse was built on Main Street in Mays Landing where the building remains today; although, it now serves as office space for the County Clerk and County Surrogate. The original building was only 40’ x 40’, and now consists of Courtroom #2. The permanent jail was constructed in 1840. The building was designed by well known Philadelphia architect Thomas Ustick Walter. Throughout the years new jails were built to keep up with the growing inmate population. Larger facilities were built in 1932 and 1962. In 1985 the current Atlantic County Justice Facility was opened. A few years later, in 1987, the jail operations split from the sheriff’s office and the Department of Public Safety was created.
In the early days of the sheriff’s office, at least three executions were conducted by the Sheriff. These executions were conducted at the “hanging tree” on Main Street in Mays Landing at the site of the old courthouse. The last was conducted September 20, 1907 when Joseph Labriola was hung for murder by Sheriff Smith E. Johnson.
Sheriff Smith E. Johnson served as Sheriff until 1908 when he was succeeded by his Undersheriff, and son, Enoch “Nucky” Johnson. Sheriff Enoch Johnson served in the position until he was ousted by a court order in 1911. Nucky Johnson went on to be come a well known political boss and racketeer. Nucky has been fictionalized as the main character in the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire.
Atlantic County, New Jersey
-National protected areas:* Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge * Great Egg Harbor Scenic and Recreational River -Demographics:...
, with countywide jurisdiction as mandated by the State Constitution of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. The Sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
is responsible for providing a variety of functions associated with the judicial process and enforcement of law. The head of the organization is Sheriff Frank X. Balles
History
Atlantic County was formed out of parts of Gloucester County on February 7, 1837. The first Board of Chosen FreeholdersBoard of Chosen Freeholders
In New Jersey, the Boards of Chosen Freeholders are the county legislatures in each of that state's 21 counties.- Origin :New Jersey's system of naming county legislators "freeholders" is unique in the United States...
was established that same year, and decided on Mays Landing as the location for the County Seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
. Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
Philemon Dickerson
Philemon Dickerson
Philemon Dickerson was a United States congressman representing New Jersey, and was later a United States federal judge. He was the brother of Governor, then United States Senator, Mahlon Dickerson of New Jersey...
appointed Isaac Smith as the first Sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of Atlantic County. Sheriff Isaac Smith served as an appointed official until he was duly elected in the fall of 1837. At the time a sheriff's term in office was only one year. Sheriff Smith served three one-year terms. The sheriff's term in office was eventually changed to three years, but consecutive terms were not allowed until a constitutional change in 1947.
This first county jail was located on River Road in Mays Landing on the property of Captain John Pennington. Until a permanent building was constructed, court was held at Pennington’s Inn. In 1838 the first courthouse was built on Main Street in Mays Landing where the building remains today; although, it now serves as office space for the County Clerk and County Surrogate. The original building was only 40’ x 40’, and now consists of Courtroom #2. The permanent jail was constructed in 1840. The building was designed by well known Philadelphia architect Thomas Ustick Walter. Throughout the years new jails were built to keep up with the growing inmate population. Larger facilities were built in 1932 and 1962. In 1985 the current Atlantic County Justice Facility was opened. A few years later, in 1987, the jail operations split from the sheriff’s office and the Department of Public Safety was created.
In the early days of the sheriff’s office, at least three executions were conducted by the Sheriff. These executions were conducted at the “hanging tree” on Main Street in Mays Landing at the site of the old courthouse. The last was conducted September 20, 1907 when Joseph Labriola was hung for murder by Sheriff Smith E. Johnson.
Sheriff Smith E. Johnson served as Sheriff until 1908 when he was succeeded by his Undersheriff, and son, Enoch “Nucky” Johnson. Sheriff Enoch Johnson served in the position until he was ousted by a court order in 1911. Nucky Johnson went on to be come a well known political boss and racketeer. Nucky has been fictionalized as the main character in the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire.