History

History of the Burleson County Sheriff's Office

Burleson County, Texas, was established on March 24, 1846, by the First Legislature of the State of Texas, carved primarily from Milam County and parts of Washington County. The county was named in honor of Edward Burleson, a prominent general and statesman during the Texas Revolution who also served as Vice President of the Republic of Texas. Caldwell was designated as the county seat, and the county's boundaries were finalized in 1874 when its western portion was ceded to form Lee County, reducing Burleson County's size by about 31%.

The Burleson County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) was established as part of the county's government structure in 1846, in line with Texas constitutional requirements for each county to have a sheriff. The office has historically been responsible for law enforcement, maintaining public safety, operating the county jail, serving civil processes, and protecting county infrastructure. In the early years, the sheriff's role was critical in a frontier region prone to conflicts, including those stemming from Native American relations, land disputes, and the aftermath of the Civil War. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the BCSO dealt with typical rural issues like cattle rustling, bootlegging during Prohibition, and general crime in a largely agricultural area.

Throughout the 20th century, the office evolved with the county's growth, handling modern challenges such as drug enforcement, traffic safety on highways like State Highway 21, and community policing in small towns like Caldwell and Somerville. The BCSO has adapted to technological advancements in investigations and communications.  Today, the BCSO operates from its headquarters in Caldwell, providing services including patrol, criminal investigations, civil process, and jail management, with a focus on community-oriented policing in a county of about 17,000 residents.

Previous Sheriffs

M. M. Hitchcock (circa late 1846-1850s)

Clint D. Lewis 1922-1941

Clint D Lewis Jr. 1941-1945

G. C. Bates 1945-1951

Lewis L. Willard 1951-1961

Reid Philp 1961-1970

Willie Mae Philp 1970-1973

A. G. Wilhelm 1973-1991

Gene Barber 1994-2004

Dale Stroud 2004-2017

Gene Hermes 2017-2025

William "Bill" Rios 2025-Present

The Burleson County Sheriffs Office Celebrates the United States 250th Year Anniversary. Participating Deputies will be wearing commemorative badges purchased by the Deputies themselves in celebration.