Sampson retires after 46 years in law enforcement

Montgomery County Sheriff Joe Sampson is about to embark on possibly the most difficult investigation of his lifetime - finding out who he is after 46 years in law enforcement.

Sampson is transitioning from “Sheriff Joe” to “Average Joe” beginning Jan. 1, a quest he’s looking forward to.

“I’m going to be spending a little bit of time finding out who Joe is,” said Sampson.

A native of Walnut, Sampson first thought about going into law enforcement while still in high school. Not one to sit behind a desk, Sampson decided to join the Army. Testing suggested he was best suited to be an electrical technician, but Sampson instead asked about the military police.

“I had five other brothers who were in the military, and they said to give MP a shot. They said they always did all right in the Army and always had a job when they got out,” Sampson recalled.

Sampson served in the Army for three years at Fort Riley, Kan., before being honorably discharged. He worked shortly for a local sale barn and then was a ‘fat hog’ buyer.

“The City of Griswold needed a police officer. I started there June 1, 1977. After several years, the police chief had a health issue so I was hired as the police chief. I was there altogether for 16 years,” Sampson said.

In September 1992, Sampson began his law enforcement career with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Sheriff Jeff Smith. He was elected sheriff in 2008, succeeding Tony Updegrove.

“There is a lot more to being sheriff than people realize,” he said.

Not only does the sheriff’s department police the county, but they serve papers, issue firearm permits, act as dispatch supervisor, are the Clerk of Court, jail supervisor, in charge of sheriff sales, act as courtroom security, transfer and transport inmates, conduct mental health committals, and work with other departments on cases.

The biggest change, he added, has been the advancement of technology with cell phones, internet, radar, and social media.

“When I started, we just had a little radio with four buttons, and I was handed a flashlight, a ticket book and carbon paper.”

However, he was quick to add people’s attitude toward law enforcement has also changed.

“People don’t have as much respect for law enforcement as they once did. Something I won’t miss is trying to parent other people’s children.”

Once retired, Sampson plans on spending more time with his family, travel, and being free from his cell phone.

“The first thing I’m going to do is take this cell phone and throw it,” he chuckled.

Joe and his wife, Margaret, have been married for 36 years. They have four sons and one granddaughter.

“The people of Montgomery County are fantastic. I’ve been blessed to have some really nice people in the county to have worked with,” Sampson said. “I’m going out on my own terms, and that means a lot. It’s bittersweet. I am going to miss a lot of people.” Sampson said.