Law Enforcement - Historical Notes

An act once affecting Cannon County, which related to the militia and to other law enforcement agencies other than the sheriff,  is mentioned below.

1. Acts of 1836, Chapter 26, divided the Militia of the State of Tennessee into companies, battalions, regiments, brigades, and divisions.  Cannon County was placed in the 69th and 141st regiments, and the 10th brigade.  Provisions for electing officers and meeting times were also established.

Sheriff

The following acts have no current effect but are included here for reference purposes since they once applied to the Cannon County Sheriff's Office.

1. Acts of 1837-38, Chapter 61, Section 8, stated that if, for want of timely notice or for any other reason, the Sheriff of Cannon, Jackson, White, or Warren Counties, should fail to hold an election in the fraction taken from his respective county, on the second Friday in January, as was required by the law establishing DeKalb County, then the Sheriff shall hold an election on January 30, and, if the election cannot be held on that day, the Sheriff will hold it as soon as he possibly can.
2. Private Acts of 1917, Chapter 229, provided that, in Cannon County, identified by the use of the 1910 Federal Census figures, the Sheriff shall be allowed and paid the fees now provided for him under the law and, in addition thereto, he shall receive $500 per year in ex-officio fees, to be paid to him quarterly on the warrant of the County Chairman.
3. Private Acts of 1925, Chapter 789, amended Private Acts of 1917, Chapter 229, above, by increasing the amount paid to the Sheriff of Cannon County as ex-officio fees over and above all other income, from $500 to $1,000 annually, under the same terms and conditions expressed in that law.
4. Private Acts of 1943, Chapter 146, stated that in Cannon County there shall be paid to the Sheriff not less than $83.33 per month, out of the county treasury as compensation and expenses for patrol work, protective services, and other public activities as a peace officer for which no fee, or other right to demand compensation, is now provided by law.  The Act covers that the fees and compensation as now provided are not sufficient to obtain competent people to fill the office.
5. Private Acts of 1949, Chapter 263, amended Private acts of 1943, Chapter 146, above, by increasing the extra monthly payment being made to the Sheriff from $83.33 per month to $100 per month.