His news releases often carry headlines written in bold red letters. “Eight more illegal aliens detained. Among them a 3-year-old,” a recent one read. He uses a Smith Corona typewriter to keep records of every interview he has given; a stack of paper thicker than an encyclopedia fills a deep drawer in his desk. (There were 13 news organizations, from as far away as Russia and Japan, listed for June 25, when the United States Supreme Court issued its ruling on Arizona’s immigration law.)

“You know what I average on TV a month? Here, local?” Sheriff Arpaio said defiantly, punching his desk for emphasis. “Two hundred appearances.”

He handed a visitor his résumé, which runs to five pages and lists under “awards and citations” the fact that he has been “featured and profiled thousands of times by worldwide news media.” He also offered a transcript of some of the most recent messages left for him at his office.

July 18, Parker, Ariz.: “Thank you for all you do.”

July 19, Nevada: “Wish you could be cloned.”

July 20, Ohio: “Sending 100-percent support.”

(Also among the messages were “You have an al-Qaida mentality.”)

Beneath his hard shell, though, there have been occasional signs of insecurity. When he first took office in 1993, many people here recall, he used to go around asking strangers, “Do you know who I am?”

And though he needs no introduction these days, he sounded regretful in pointing out that people still know little about him beyond his years as sheriff. So this summer, there will be television ads noting his service as an agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration and its predecessor, the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, in places like Turkey and Mexico, along with Arizona.