History

In 1905, St. Lucie County was formed by an act of the Florida Legislature. County offices were created including the Office of Sheriff. The first Sheriff, R.W. Lennard, was responsible for all law enforcement within the county of approximately of 620 square miles and a population of approximately 1,500 residents. In the early days, law enforcement was usually accomplished solely by the Sheriff or with a few deputies, and sometimes with the assistance of citizens sworn in as a "posse" to handle unusual situations.

Roaring 20s

During the early years, the Sheriff's Office grew proportionately with the population and became involved in enforcing the anti-bootlegging laws during prohibition and other assorted crimes during the "Roaring 20s." One significant event occurred in 1924 when Sheriff J.R. Merritt and his men brought an end to the infamous Ashley Gang which had been terrorizing the east coast from Miami to Fort Pierce.

The gang, responsible for murders, bank robberies and rum running, was wanted up and down the coast. On November 1, 1924, Sheriff Merritt and his men accosted them on the Sebastian Bridge and killed all five gang members, bringing to a close one of the most lawless eras in the county's history. Needless to say, those years were tough times for law enforcement.

Supreme Sacrifice

Some St. Lucie Sheriffs made the supreme sacrifice while in office. Sheriff D.S. Carlton, who occupied the old house and jail on 2nd Street in Fort Pierce, was shot and killed in the line of duty in 1915. Sheriff WP. Monroe, while enforcing the prohibition laws involving rum runners, was killed in an unexplained boat explosion in 1921.