Definition

1. Noun:
   • A law enforcement officer who is authorized to act on behalf of or assist a sheriff: A deputy sheriff is an official who is appointed or employed to exercise the powers and perform the duties of a sheriff, particularly in emergencies or in the sheriff's absence. They typically have jurisdiction within a specific county.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The deputy sheriff arrived at the scene to secure the area.
  • During the flood, the deputy sheriff helped coordinate the evacuation.
  • He worked as a deputy sheriff for over ten years before running for sheriff.

Advanced Usage

• "to serve as deputy sheriff": to hold the position or perform the job of a deputy sheriff.
  • She decided to serve as a deputy sheriff in her hometown.
• "acting deputy sheriff": a person temporarily performing the duties of a deputy sheriff.
  • In the sheriff's absence, the senior officer became the acting deputy sheriff.

Variants and Related Words

• Deputy (n): a person appointed or authorized to act as a substitute for another. While "deputy" is a broader term, "deputy sheriff" specifies the law enforcement context.
• Sheriff (n): the principal elected law enforcement officer of a county.
• Sheriff's deputy: A common alternative phrasing for "deputy sheriff."

Synonyms

• Law enforcement officer: A general term for officials like police officers and deputies.
• Peace officer: A legal term for a civil officer (like a sheriff or deputy) whose duty is to preserve public peace.
• County officer: An officer with authority within a county.

Related Phrases

• "to deputize" (verb): to appoint someone as a deputy.
  • The sheriff had to deputize several citizens during the crisis.
• "sheriff's department": the organization comprising the sheriff and deputy sheriffs.
  • He applied for a job with the county sheriff's department.

Related Idioms

• "Long arm of the law": Refers to the far-reaching power of law enforcement, which includes officers like deputy sheriffs.
  • The deputy sheriff reminded the suspect that the long arm of the law would eventually catch up with him.

Noun

1. someone authorized to exercise the powers of sheriff in emergencies