The Jefferson County Sheriff, an elected position, heads the sheriff's department, which provides law enforcement to all parts of Jefferson County. The sheriff's office is located at 66 SE D Street, Suite C, and can be reached at the above number during regular hours.

This Department also operates the 18-bed county jail, located downstairs in the Jefferson County Courthouse, located at 75 SE C St. The dispatch center, which serves all law enforcement and public safety organizations in the county, is also downstairs in the justice building.

The department has 26 full-time employees. Eight of the employees work in the Corrections Division, and six are patrol officers. Five full-time employees and one part-time employee work in the dispatch center. There is also a marine officer, and one full-time officer in animal control. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department also teaches DARE classes in the Culver School District.