Who We Are
The Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office is a progressive and forward-looking agency that employs approximately 140 employees. These public servants work in four divisions: Administrative, Field Services (Patrol and Investigations), Special Services (Civil, Training, and Information Technology) or the Jail Divisions.
The Black Hawk County Jail is one of the largest jailing correctional facilities in the state, managing 272 residential beds and an average daily inmate population of approximately 250.
Our full-service Patrol and Investigations divisions boast several state-of-the-art advances in crime detection and deterrence applications. From in-car computers to infrared and thermal imaging technology, the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office employs the latest innovations to better serve the citizens of our county.
It is the mission of the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office
to provide professional, high-quality and effective law enforcement, correctional and court support services in partnership with the communities we serve. We, the members of the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, believe that our work has a vital impact on the quality of life in our county. To demonstrate our commitment to our profession, on and off duty, we subscribe to the following values;
Pride
The office recognizes that its employees are the vital component to the successful delivery of law enforcement, corrections and court support services. We believe we can achieve our highest potential by actively involving our employees in problem-solving and outwardly demonstrating our support for and pride in our staff.
Integrity
Integrity is defined as being honest, moral, upright and sincere. Public trust can only exist with our integrity and respect for one another. At the very foundation of the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office is the expectation of the highest level of integrity in its employees.
Professionalism
Recognizing the changing and diverse needs of the communities we serve, the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office promotes and encourages a policy of professional individual excellence, which is passionately delivered and enhanced by continuing education, training, and administration support. This commitment is evidenced by the expected outward demonstration of that professionalism to our citizens.
Fairness
The sheriff’s office members shall uphold laws in an ethical, impartial, courteous, and professional manner while respecting the rights and dignity of all persons. We shall strive to achieve a balance between enforcement and community needs which reflects both the spirit and the letter of the law. We support an organizational climate of mutual trust and respect. We endeavor to always be fair and impartial in our decisions and responses to issues that fall within the confines of our assigned duties.
History of the Sheriff’s Office
In August of 1853, an act of the Iowa state legislature granted permission for the territory's citizens to form a county known as Black Hawk County. At the same time, an election was held, and John Virden was elected the first Sheriff of Black Hawk County. Since that time, the sheriff's office has grown and experienced many changes. We occupied the first Black Hawk County Courthouse in 1857. The $27,000 facility was located on the east side of the Cedar River between East 7th and East 9th Street. We enjoyed one of the longest Iowa elected official's tenures in Sheriff H.T. "Cap" Wagner, which spanned 18 terms and 36 years. Our sheriff's office history is strong and distinguished.
In the minds of many Americans, the role of the sheriff ended with the taming of the Wild West. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Today, the Sheriff of Black Hawk County administrates approximately 140 employees, a 272-bed jail facility, and a nearly 15-million-dollar budget.
The sheriff’s office provides law enforcement coverage to the entire county but specifically focuses attention on those unincorporated areas of the county, as well as contracted services with certain cities in the county. This coverage includes the services of Patrol, Investigations, Civil Process, Crime Scene Investigations, K-9, S.W.A.T., Traffic Accident Investigations, and much more.
The sheriff’s office looks proudly upon our past service to the residents of Black Hawk County, but anxiously anticipates the challenges that the future brings to the concept and function of law enforcement. Our agency continues to be focused on providing outstanding service and proactive efforts to ensure the safety and security of Black Hawk County.
Regardless of the concerns that the future presents, the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office will be responsive to the needs of our citizens. No matter what else changes, the sheriff's focus will continue to drive our agency forward, striving to personify our motto: "Excellence in Law Enforcement".
Sheriff Tony Thompson
Sheriff Tony Thompson took office on January 1, 2009, and was re-elected in November 2012 with nearly 70% of the vote, and again in November 2016 with 98.8% of the vote. However, his law enforcement career started much earlier when he joined the US Army as a military police officer in 1988. He retired from the Iowa Army National Guard in 2009, with 21 years of service. His career with the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office began in March of 1994 and he has worked in the Jail, Special Services, Patrol, and now Administrative Divisions. His prior assignments include Drug Education Officer, Community Services Coordinator, Computer Crimes Investigator, Patrol Officer, Public Information Officer, and SWAT Team leader prior to taking command of the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Thompson's Biography
Graduated: Winterset High School, University of Northern Iowa: BA - Communication Studies, Liberty University: MS - Criminal Justice/Public Administration
Elected: November 4th, 2008
Took Office: January 1st, 2009
Organizations:
- Currently on the Executive Board for Black Hawk Economic Development, Inc.
- Currently a board member of the MercyOne Hospital Foundation Board.
- Currently a member and past Council President of the Executive Board for the Winnebago Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
- Currently serves on the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning Justice Advisory Board.
- Currently serves on the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Complex Mental Health Needs Subcommittee.
- Currently serves on the Black Hawk County 9-1-1 Service Board (board vice-chair), the Consolidated Communications Board (board chair), and the Criminal Justice Information System Service Board (board vice-chair).
- Currently serves on the Black Hawk County Emergency Management Commission (commission chair).
- Currently serves on the Tri-County Narcotics Task Force Board (board chair).
- Currently serves on the Hawkeye Community College Criminal Justice Advisory Board.
- Currently serves on the Upper Iowa University, Waterloo Campus, Advisory Board.
- Actively involved in fundraising for Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Black Hawk County, Family and Children's Council, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the American Cancer Society.
- Actively involved in Iowa Special Olympics and was the former local coordinator for the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run and Polar Plunge.
- Currently a member of the American Legion.
- Currently a member of the 40 and 8.
- Member of Iowa Ducks Unlimited.
- Member of the National Wildlife Turkey Federation.
- Coaches and referees youth baseball and youth wrestling.
- Member of the Waterloo Moose Lodge.
- Member of the Black Hawk County Democrats Central Committee.
- Member of the Iowa Police Chiefs Association.
- Member of the ISSDA's (Iowa State Sheriffs and Deputies Association) State Legislative Committee and State Executive Board (state secretary).
- Member of the Alpha Phi Sigma - National Criminal Justice Honor Society (Theta Sigma Chapter).
- Member of the Black Hawk County Chapter of the NAACP.
Currently Teaches: Sheriff Thompson is an adjunct professor and currently instructs criminology, sociology, and public administration courses for the following colleges and universities:
- Upper Iowa University, Waterloo Campus
- Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, Iowa
- Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa
- University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Awards:
- Awarded the McCartney Award from the Iowa Law Enforcement Basic Academy for conscientious performance (140th Basic Class) - 1994
- Awarded the 300 Point Club Award for physical fitness excellence from the Iowa Law Enforcement Basic Academy (140th Basic Class) - 1994
- Awarded Deputy of the Year honors - 1999
- Awarded the Department of Public Safety, Commissioner’s Special Award for Traffic Safety - 2001
- Awarded the Drug Enforcement Administration's Enrique Camarena "Certificate of Appreciation” for drug enforcement efforts in Black Hawk County - 2003
- Awarded the Iowa Community Betterment Leadership Award from the Governor of the State of Iowa - 2003
- Graduate of the 98th Session of the National Sheriff's Institute, National Sheriff's Association and National Institute of Corrections, Longmont, Colorado - 2010
Military Service:
- US Army - Military Police (1988 - 2009)
- Retired from Iowa Army National Guard
- Senior Non-Commissioned Officer/Operations NCO for Officer Candidate School - Iowa
- Taught Basic and Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Courses, Army Instructor Courses, Installation Security/Physical Security Courses, and Officer Candidate School
Notable Military Awards:
- Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Army Commendation Medal (4 awards), Army Achievement Medal (3 awards), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with "M" and hourglass devices), National Defense Service Medal (w/Bronze Star), Iowa Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Iowa Commendation Medal (4 awards), Iowa Leadership Ribbon w/Torch, Army Humanitarian Service Medal, Iowa State Service Ribbon (5 awards), and Iowa Humanitarian Service Medal.
Previous BHC Sheriffs
Sheriff's Name | Years in Office |
|---|---|
| Michael Kubik | 1988-2009 |
| Wendell H. Christensen Jr. | 1974-1988 |
| Robert A. Aldrich | 1968-1974 |
| Elmer Hightower | 1957-1968 |
| H.T. "Cap" Wagner | 1921-1957 |
| David B. Henderson | 1914-1921 |
| F. M. Shores | 1908-1914 |
| J. D. Caldwell | 1903-1908 |
| W. M. Law | 1895-1903 |
| Hirem B. Hoxie | 1887-1895 |
| William W. Edgington | 1883-1887 |
| George W. Hayzlett | 1873-1883 |
| W.H. Brown | 1861-1873 |
| John Elwell | 1857-1861 |
| Benjamine F. Thomas | 1855-1857 |
| John Virden | 1853-1855 |