History of Pima County Sheriff's Department in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 14, 2026

The Pima County Sheriff's Department (PCSD) is a law enforcement agency responsible for policing the unincorporated areas of Pima County, Arizona, the seventh-largest county in the United States. PCSD manages operations from six district offices and three satellite offices. Its Corrections Bureau operates four facilities, housing an average daily population of 1,850 inmates.

1902: Ed Echols moves to Cochise County, Arizona

In 1902, Ed Echols and his brother Art traveled by wagon to Cochise County, Arizona, where he worked selling cords of wood and also as a ranch hand.

1912: Echols Competes in Calgary Stampede

In 1912, Ed Echols traveled to Calgary, Alberta, Canada for the Frontier Days and Cowboy Championship Contest, which later became the Calgary Stampede. He competed against the best ropers in the world and won the title of World's Champion Roper.

1921: Echols Homesteads Near Mescal, Arizona

In 1921, Ed Echols homesteaded land near Mescal, Arizona, southeast of Tucson. This land is believed to have become part of the larger Double X Ranch that he later owned.

1934: Echols Runs for Sheriff

In 1934, Ed Echols ran for sheriff of Pima County, and though he had support from his friend and movie star Will Rogers, he lost the election.

1936: Echols Becomes Sheriff of Pima County

In 1936, Ed Echols became the sheriff of Pima County, choosing Herb Wood as his undersheriff. At the start of his term, he had only six deputies for the entire county.

1939: Echols Reports Recovered Stolen Property and Prisoner Transports

In 1939, Sheriff Echols reported that his men had recovered $30,408 of stolen property, transported 54 prisoners to the state prison in Florence, Arizona, and served 915 subpoenas.

1944: Sheriff Echols' Staff Increases

By 1944, Sheriff Echols' staff had increased to 24, including 12 deputies in Tucson, 4 in Ajo, 1 in Marana, 1 in Arivaca, 3 jailers, 1 matron, and 2 cooks.

1946: Echols Serves as Sheriff of Pima County

Ed Echols served as sheriff of Pima County from 1936 to 1946.

1946: Echols Runs Unsuccessfully for Sheriff

In 1946, Ed Echols ran unsuccessfully for sheriff but later served many years as a constable.

1962: Echols Retires

In 1962, Ed Echols retired after serving many years as a constable.

1969: Death of Ed Echols

Ed Echols died in 1969.

February 1980: Clarence Dupnik Becomes Sheriff

In February 1980, Clarence Dupnik became the sheriff of Pima County.

1984: Chris Nanos Joins Sheriff's Department

In 1984, Chris Nanos joined the Pima County Sheriff's Department and has worked in all fields of the department.

2012: FBI Data on Tucson and Phoenix Crime Rates

In 2012, according to FBI data released by SCSD, Tucson had 631.94 violent crimes per 100,000 population, while Phoenix had 518.12 violent crimes per 100,000 population.

August 1, 2015: Chris Nanos Takes Over as Sheriff

On August 1, 2015, Deputy Sheriff Chris Nanos took over as Sheriff.

2015: Clarence Dupnik Retires

In 2015, Clarence Dupnik retired after serving as sheriff of Pima County for over 35 years and 50 years in law enforcement. He was elected seven times during this period.