The office of sheriff has a history that spans more than 1,300 years, starting in England sometime before the year 700 A.D. Since our system of government is based in large part on English law, the concept of the sheriff was brought to this country by the early colonists. In Minnesota, each of the 87 counties has a sheriff who is elected to office by citizens of their individual counties to a four year term. The sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer within the county.

The Wright County Sheriff’s Office is the 3rd largest sheriff’s office in Minnesota. We provide law enforcement services to the unincorporated areas of the county and additionally contract police services with 13 cities. There are eleven divisions within the sheriff’s office: Administration, Bailiff, Civil Process, Communications, Community Services, Corrections, Criminal Investigations, Patrol, Recreational Enforcement, Special Investigation’s Unit (Narcotics), and Warrants / Transports.

Sheriff Joe Hagerty began his service to Wright County in 1985 as a deputy sheriff. He worked in the jail, dispatch center and a lengthy term on patrol. He was promoted to patrol sergeant in 1996 and patrol lieutenant in 2001. He was appointed Chief Deputy in 2006. He successfully ran for Sheriff in 2010, elected and assumed office on January 3, 2011. Sheriff Hagerty was born and raised in St. Michael where he currently resides with his family.

Commitment To Service

Wright County’s location just west of the Twin City metropolitan area has contributed to its rapid growth in recent years. The Sheriff’s Office has continued to meet the challenge by providing quality, efficient, cost effective law enforcement services to the citizens of the county.

Our organization holds itself accountable to the guiding principles of integrity, professionalism, caring and fairness. 



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