SHER'IF, noun An officer in each county, to whom is entrusted the execution of the laws. In England, sherifs are appointed by the king. In the United States, sherifs are elected by legislature or by the citizens, or appointed and commissioned by the executive of the state. The office of sherif in England is judicial and ministerial. In the United States it is mostly or wholly ministerial. The sherif by himself or his deputies, executes civil and criminal process throughout the county, has charge of the jail and prisoners, attends courts and keeps the peace.