Sheriff Hall Sworn in for Third Term

Circuit Judge Ronald Swanson issued the oath of office to third term Sheriff Wendell Hall at the county auditorium on January 6, 2009. Sheriff Hall's wife Karen was present during the oath of office as was close family friends. After Sheriff Hall was sworn into office, he in turn issued the oath of office to the majority of his 190 law enforcement deputies and 87 detention deputies. Some law enforcement and detention deputies were unable to attend the ceremony due other law enforcement and detention duties throughout the county. Sheriff Hall is the fifth sheriff since Santa Rosa County 's inception in 1842 to be elected to three consecutive terms of office. The last Sheriff to serve three consecutive terms in Santa Rosa County was Sheriff Marshall Rufus Hayes during the years of 1945 to 1957. The three other three-term Sheriff's were Sheriff Joseph Turpin Allen Sr. (1933 to 1945), Sheriff Henry Clay Mitchell (1921 to 1933), and Sheriff William J. Johnson (1881 to 1893). For photos of the ceremony please click here.