Sheriff's Office - Oakridge County, ST

Sheriff’s Office

The Sheriff sitting at his office desk, smiling and facing the camera.

Sheriff Daniel Carter

Oakridge County Sheriff
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
104 North Maple Street, P.O. BOX 999
Oakridge, ST 54321

E-Mail: d.carter@oakridgecountysheriff.gov
PHONE: 555-019-2834
FAX: 555-019-2835

The Oakridge County Sheriff’s Office is led by Sheriff Daniel Carter, who serves as the chief law enforcement officer for the county. The position carries a broad mandate, balancing traditional law enforcement with judicial responsibilities and statutory obligations. Sheriff Carter is responsible for maintaining public safety across rural expanses and unincorporated communities, enforcing state and local laws, executing court orders, and managing the county’s correctional facilities.

Under his leadership, the office prioritizes community-oriented policing while maintaining a ready response for emergency services and criminal investigations. To cover the county’s diverse terrain, the Sheriff manages a dedicated staff of 42 full-time personnel. This workforce is divided into three primary divisions: Road Patrol, Corrections, and Administrative Support. The Road Patrol division provides 24/7 coverage, utilizing a staggered shift schedule to ensure active deputy presence across both daylight and overnight hours. This continuous coverage ensures that even the most remote residents of Oakridge County have access to rapid emergency response and proactive traffic enforcement.

The history of the Oakridge County Jail began in 1888 with the construction of a small, red-brick lockup on the edge of the town square. Designed to hold fewer than a dozen inmates, the original facility featured hand-forged iron bars and was heated by a single wood-burning stove. For over six decades, this historic structure housed local troublemakers and historic detainees, serving as a stark architectural reminder of frontier justice in the early days of the county.

By the mid-20th century, the aging brick structure could no longer keep pace with the growing population and modern safety standards. In 1964, the county inaugurated the current correctional facility, a reinforced concrete structure built adjacent to the administrative headquarters. Modernized again in the early 2000s to add state-of-the-art surveillance and expanded medical triage spaces, the jail now safely accommodates up to 85 inmates, blending its historical mandate of secure detention with modern rehabilitation programs.

The Oakridge County Sheriff’s Office is committed to a professional level of Law Enforcement which will ensure the safety of our citizens, the prevention and investigation of criminal activity, and a cooperative working relationship with other Departments and Services.

Reminder: Get your permit before you burn. Burn Permits can be obtained at the Sheriff’s Office at any time.

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