Sheriff Jeff Lawless
JEFFERY S. (JEFF) LAWLESS
Elected to Sheriff November 4, 2008, Jeff Lawless brings 22 years of law enforcement experience to the Sheriff's Office. He worked as a Road Patrol Deputy and Corrections Officer. He served as Administrator of the Lawrence County Jail for the past eight years and additionally held the position of Chief Deputy for seven of those years.
Favorite Sport: Football and anything else played by the Tigers and the Buckeyes.
Chief Deputy William J. Hitchcock
WILLIAM J. (JEFF) HITCHCOCK
Known as Jeff, Chief Hitchcock joined the Sheriff's Department as a Deputy for the first time in 1984.
Retiring as a Master Sergeant, he is a veteran of the Air Force and Ohio Air National Guard, with 22 years service as a Communications and Navigation Technician. He is also retired from the Federal Law Enforcement branch, where Chief Hitchcock did 20 years as a Utility Systems Supervisor.
His two areas of great interest are flying and firearms, not necessarily in that order.
Major Dean Palmer
Major Palmer served in the United States Navy for six years aboard the USS Forrestal CV59, achieving the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class. He performed as an Aircrewman on the aircraft C1A, the ship's onboard delivery aircraft.
Dean's law enforcement career began in Coal Grove where he served for nine years, attaining the rank of Corporal.
Married with two daughters, Dean is a member of the gospel quartet, For His Grace, and enjoys performing throughout the tri-state.