Sheriff

The County's principal peace officer is the Shelby County Sheriff, who is elected every four years. The Sheriff and the Deputies are the law enforcement for the residents of Shelby County, plus provide contract law enforcement for the Cities of Harlan, Defiance, Earling, Elk Horn, Irwin, Kirkman, Panama, Portsmouth, Shelby, Tennant, and Westphalia, based on a per capita charge.