Chattanooga Times article from June 12, 1925 featuring the HCSO’s first two motor units operated by HCSO Motorcycle Officers John Draughon (Left) and Edward Ricketts (right)

Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa being escorted to a marked unit by U.S. Marshals after being held in the Hamilton County Jail, circa 1960’s

One of the few remaining photographs that show both the old Hamilton County Jail (Left) and new Hamilton County Jail (Right), circa 1976

Sheriff Sam Payne standing in front of one of our new Patrol Units, circa 1940

Illustration depecting the murder of Sheriff William T. Cate, circa 1892. More information about his murder can be located here: http://www.hcsheriff.gov/gen_info/past_sheriffs/william_cate.asp

HCSO Sheriff Rex Richey and deputies destroy an illegal moonshine still in Hamilton County, circa 1950

Sheriff Fred Payne with one of the new Patrol Units, circa 1940

Hamilton County officially turned 200 on Friday (Oct. 25).

County Mayor Jim Coppinger led a celebration at the historic County Courthouse.



The event feature County Mayor Coppinger and several speakers talking about the history of Hamilton County.

Contents of a time capsule were on display as well as a Hamilton County Flag that flew in Afghanistan.

The event also included celebratory buttons for the public as well as birthday cake.

County Historian Linda Moss Mines led in the celebration, including organizing several other special events.

Jim Frierson, a member of the celebration committee, said a local family that are eight generation descendants of Alexander Hamilton attended.

When the county was formed on Oct.

25, 1819 by the Legislature sitting in Murfreesboro, it was named for Alexander Hamilton, secretary of the Treasury. "to honor and to perpetuate his memory."

A portion of the designated territory south of the Tennessee River was still Indian lands. But settlers had already begun living around the Sale Creek area. Gradually some also crossed the river and commingled with their Indian neighbors.

Here is the history of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office:

"On this day, 200 years ago, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office was created on Oct. 25, 1819 when the county of Hamilton was established. The first sheriff of Hamilton County was Charles Gamble who served from 1819-1822. When the county of Hamilton was established in Oct. 25, 1819, Mr. Gamble was one of three commissioners named by the Tennessee General Assembly to begin the new government. Mr. Gamble was later elected as the first sheriff for the county of Hamilton.

"As the fourth largest Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee, its operations include over 180 certified deputies, over 160 sworn deputies, and 90 civilian staff personnel. In addition to traditional patrol and corrections operations, the agency boasts numerous specialty divisions and units to include, but certainly not limited to SWAT, K-9, Hostage Negotiation, Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones), Marine Patrol, Forensic Divers, Criminal Investigations, CBRNE, Forensics, Honor Guard, Fleet Management, Mounted Patrol, School Resource Officers, Traffic, and Property and Evidence.



"For 200 years the men and women of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office have provided consistent law enforcement operations throughout Hamilton County. From a bygone era of mounted deputies on horseback crisscrossing wagon trails to the use of modern technology and state-of-the-art vehicles, our deputies continue to honor the agency’s rich history and uphold the legacy and traditions of those who proudly served before us."