The County Sheriff is responsible for preserving the peace and protecting life and property within the county's jurisdiction. As the county's chief law officer, the sheriff has the power and authority to suppress all unlawful disturbances, to apprehend and secure persons charged with a felony or breach of peace, and to operate the county jail. In some counties, a city contracts with the county sheriff to operate a city-county jail.

The County Sheriff also works with other units of county government on a fee basis. By law, the County Sheriff or one's appointed deputy serves warrants and process papers ordered by the district court. The county board of health also may require the County Sheriff to serve process papers or to assist with correcting any situation considered a nuisance or danger to public health.

The County Sheriff is accountable for all the fees received by the Sheriff's Department. Daily deposits are made into the "Sheriff's service fee account" within the county treasurer's office. Expenses are itemized and reported monthly to the Board of County Commissioners. Each year the County Sheriff prepares a report from the jail register and sends copies to the Secretary of State and the County Clerk who files it with the Board of County Commissioners. A copy is also sent to the District Judges at the opening of each district court's term.

Along with law enforcement duties, the County Sheriff issues permits to house movers and designates the routes for moving houses within the county. The Sheriff is also required to post in ech jail cell a list of all the attorneys practicing in the county.