\Sher"iff\, n. [OE. shereve, AS. sc[=i]r-ger?fa; sc[=i]r
a shire + ger?fa a reeve. See Shire, and {Reeve}, and cf.
{Shrievalty}.]
The chief officer of a shire or county, to whom is intrusted
the execution of the laws, the serving of judicial writs and
processes, and the preservation of the peace.
Note: In England, sheriffs are appointed by the king. In the
      United States, sheriffs are elected by the legislature
      or by the citizens, or appointed and commissioned by
      the executive of the State. The office of sheriff in
      England is judicial and ministerial. In the United
      States, it is mainly ministerial. The sheriff, by
      himself or his deputies, executes civil and criminal
      process throughout the county, has charge of the jail
      and prisoners, attends courts, and keeps the peace. His
      judicial authority is generally confined to
      ascertaining damages on writs of inquiry and the like.
      Sheriff, in Scotland, called sheriff depute, is
      properly a judge, having also certain ministerial
      powers. Sheriff clerk is the clerk of the Sheriff's
      Court in Scotland. Sheriff's Court in London is a
      tribunal having cognizance of certain personal actions
      in that city. --Wharton, Tomlins. Erskine.