​In the early days of Bosque County, the Sheriff’s Office consisted of a sheriff and a single deputy. Local men of upstanding character were deputized as needed and served on a rotating basis. While on duty, they were responsible for “guarding and feeding” prisoners. Their families often played a role as well—wives would prepare and bring meals for both the deputy and those in custody. For their service, deputies were paid $3.00 per night.

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In 1894, a new jail was constructed, serving the county for nearly 90 years. At that time, Sheriff Bill Boyd led the office, with deputies J. White and Ruffie Barker, and jailer John Womack. The Womack family lived on the lower floor of the jail, a common practice of the era. Jewel Womack Latimer later recalled stories from her childhood, including times when her family temporarily left town due to scheduled executions. On one occasion, an individual sentenced to hang had his punishment commuted to life imprisonment at the last moment by the governor. He was quietly transported out of the county under cover of darkness. When an angry crowd later gathered at the jail, intent on carrying out the execution themselves, they were met with disbelief upon learning the prisoner was no longer there.

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Jewel also recalled the “Calaboose,” a small wooden holding structure used to detain intoxicated individuals or those suffering from mental illness. When unoccupied, it became a place where children would play during the summer months—an illustration of how closely daily life and law enforcement were intertwined in those times.

In 1979, the Bosque County Commissioners Court and County Judge approved the construction of a new jail facility located on West Morgan Street. Shortly after its completion, the original 1894 jail was demolished.

As the county continued to grow, so did the need for a larger and more modern facility. In 2016, the Commissioners Court and County Judge approved a bond election for the citizens of Bosque County to fund a new jail capable of housing more than twice the number of inmates as the existing facility. Voters approved the measure, and construction began in July 2017 on FM 2840, just east of Meridian. The new Bosque County Sheriff’s Office and Jail officially opened in July 2018 and continues to serve the community today.

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1979 - 2018