List of Sheriffs of Essex County, Massachusetts


This is a list of Sheriffs of Essex County, Massachusetts. In the earliest days of the county the office of Sheriff was called the Marshall. Since 1692 the office has been called the Sheriff. The Sheriff originally was an appointed office, it has been an elected position since 1856. The Sheriff is elected to serve a six-year term.
The current Essex County Sheriff is Kevin Coppinger
#SheriffPictureTermPartyNote
George Corwin1692-1696
William Gedney1696-1702
Thomas Wainwright1702
William Gedney
Daniel Denison1708-1710
William Gedney1710-1715
John Denison1715-1722
John DenisonJuly 3, 1722, to December 12, 1728Joint Sheriff of Essex County with Benjamin Marston from July 3, 1722, to December 12, 1728.
Benjamin MarstonJuly 3, 1722, - December 12, 1728Joint Sheriff of Essex County with John Denison from July 3, 1722, to December 12, 1728.
Benjamin MarstonDecember 12, 1728 – January 24, 1745-6Joint Sheriff of Essex County with John Denison from July 3, 1722, to December 12, 1728.
Robert Hale1746-1766
Richard Saltonstall1766-1779
Michael Farley1779-1792
Bailey Bartlett1792-1831
Joseph E. Sprague1831-1852
Frederick Robinson1852-1854Republican
Thomas E. Payson1854-1856Whig
James Cary1856-1866
Horatio G. Herrick1866-1893Republican
Samuel A. Johnson1893-1919RepublicanDied in office.
Patrick F. Tierney1919-1921
Arthur G. Wells1921-1932RepublicanDied in office.
Frank E. Raymond1932-1953Republican
Earl Wells1953-1964RepublicanDied in office. Succeeded by his son.
Roger E. Wells1964RepublicanActing
William J. Casey1964-1965DemocraticAppointed by Gov. Endicott Peabody
Roger E. Wells1964-1975Republican
Robert Ellis Cahill1975-1978DemocraticResigned after he suffered a heart attack and stroke.
Charles Reardon1978-1996DemocraticResigned after pleading guilty to corruption charges.
Frank G. Cousins, Jr1996-2017RepublicanAppointed in 1996 by Massachusetts Governor William Weld.
Kevin Coppinger2017–presentDemocratic