Red Sheriffs

[Sand Castle]

Historically, have there ever been any sheriffs who were considered "red." You know, sheriffs who looked out for the common person and not the interests of the rich? In the US, sheriffs are elected and historically enforced the law before the modern police came along. I don't know about other countries, but I'd be interested in hearing about it.

[Futility Personified]

Not really a red but I think Hunter S Thompson ran for sheriff on the platform of Freak Power at some point. Might've been in aspen? If I remember reading correctly he forced the democrat and republican candidates to emphasize common ground to keep him out.

[Creative Destruction]

During the Battle of Matewan, the sheriff intervened on behalf of the coal miners who were being evicted from their homes in W. Virginia, and stayed on their side when the Baldwin Agency went to battle with the workers. (Interestingly enough, Sid Hatfield was the sheriff... he was a cousin or something of Devil Ance Hatfield, of the Hatfield/McCoy feud.)

There weren't many, but I'm sure if you dig around in the coal miners strikes, you'll find some other sympathizers in law enforcement.

eta. if you can find it, watch Matewan. It's pretty good. Got Chris Cooper and James Earl Jones in it. covers pretty well what happened, including the racist union members. a good recollection from a local:

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[G4b3n]

I have heard of instances of sheriffs opposing attacks on workers by private security forces and private armies. But institutionally speaking, it would be impossible for them to truly act in defense of workers.