Timeline of Johnson County Sheriffs

Johnson County was established in December of 1837 and was initially governed by Cedar County officials.  In 1838, Johnson County's first Sheriff, Samuel C. Trowbridge, was appointed by Cedar County Sheriff Tallman.  Sheriff Trowbridge served as Sheriff from 1838 - 1842.  Since 1838, there have been 31 sheriffs to serve Johnson County with the current Sheriff, Brad Kunkel, serving in the position since 2021.

Sheriff Brad Kunkel
Sheriff Brad Kunkel
(2021 - )

Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek
Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek
(2005-2020)
Sheriff Robert Carpenter
Sheriff Robert Carpenter
(1989-2004)
  • 1838 - 1842 Sheriff Samuel C. Trowbridge 
  • 1842 - 1844 Sheriff Walter Butler (Democrat)
  • 1844 - 1846 Sheriff M. P. McAllister (Whig Party)
  • 1846 Sheriff George Paul (Democrat)
  • 1847 - 1850 Sheriff John D. Abel (Democrat)
  • 1851 - 1852 Sheriff Gilbert E. Deforest (Whig Party then Republican)
  • 1853 - 1854 Sheriff S. B. Mulholland (Democrat)
  • 1855 - 1856 Sheriff J. W. Howard (Old line Whig Party)
  • 1857 - 1858 Sheriff Edgar Harrison (Democrat)
  • 1859 - 1866 Sheriff John Wilson (Republican)
  • 1867 - 1872 Sheriff Samuel P. McCadden (Democrat, died in office)
  • 1872 - 1876 Sheriff Mathew Cavanaugh (Democrat)
  • 1877 - 1882 Sheriff John Coldren (Democrat)
    (The information above recorded in “The History of Johnson County” published in 1883.)
  • 1883 - 1888 Sheriff Gilman F. Fletcher
  • 1889 - 1893 Sheriff John J. Englert
  • 1894 - 1895 Sheriff Richard J. Jones
  • 1896 - 1899 Sheriff John W. Weslh (Democrat, Resigned)
  • 1899 - 1903 Sheriff Andrew E. Hofer (Democrat)
  • 1904 - 1910 Sheriff Evan Rowland (Republican)
  • 1911 - 1914 Sheriff Theodore Fautz (Democrat)
  • 1915 - 1922 Sheriff Evan Rowland (Republican)
  • 1923 - 1926 Sheriff J. S. Martin (Republican)
  • 1927 - 1930 Sheriff Frank L. Smith (Democrat)
  • 1931 - 1941 Sheriff Don McComas (Democrat, Resigned)
  • 1941 - 1946 Sheriff Preston Koser (Democrat)
  • 1947 - 1964 Sheriff Albert J. Murphy (Republican)
  • 1965 - 1972 Sheriff Maynard E. Schneider (Democrat)
  • 1973 - 1988 Sheriff Gary Hughes (Republican)
  • 1989 - 2004 Sheriff Robert Carpenter (Democrat)
  • 2005 - 2020 Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek (Democrat) 
  • 2021 - present Sheriff Brad Kunkel (Democrat)

 

Johnson County Jail

Photos of the outside of the Johnson County jail thatwas used from 1901 to 1981 along with photos of jail cells
In 1899 construction began on a new courthouse and county jail (pictured above).  The courthouse is still used today and located on South Clinton Street. The county jail stood directly behind the courthouse and was utilized from 1901-1981 when construction began on the existing jail. 
Photos of the current Sheriff's office and jail building under construction which started in 1979 and finsihed in 1981
The current Sheriff’s Office under construction. Construction started in 1979 and was completed in 1981.
Photo of the outside of the current Sheriff's office and jail building
Johnson County Sheriff's Office Today

Historical Photos

Photo of a 1927 raid of an illegal still
On June 17, 1927, the Dingleberry still was raided.  Pictured above is the raiding party standing alongside the dismantled still. Members of the raiding party are (from left):  Sheriff Frank Smith, Don McComas, Curly Fuhrmann, Joe Brandstatter and Charles Bocek.
Photograph courtesy of Don Krall.
Photos of the building containing the still that was raided in 1927
Photo of the raided still.  Photograph courtesy of Don Krall.