Arizona’s most famous lawman, Sheriff Joe Arpaio has notched his ninety-first birthday. To all appearances, he’s holding up well. To those of us who have followed him over the years, it was the same old Joe who greeted a large banquet hall full of friends and well-wishers Saturday night. They were gathered at Phoenix’s Italian American Club to celebrate the 91st birthday of “America’s Toughest Sheriff.” In addition to myself and Prescott eNews Editor Anita Cohen, Yavapai County was well represented by Republican activists Ed Cocchiola, Brooks Compton, and Chris Campbell.
Photo: Sheriff Joe and Republican activist Brooks Compton
For six elections cycles over 24 years, from 1993 to 2017, no other figure in law enforcement garnered as much publicity or had as much impact on Arizona’s political culture as Joe Arpaio. Tent City, chain gangs, immigration round-ups, inmates in pink underwear getting two meals a day. Arpaio became a pop culture icon. Love him or hate him, no one has been more consequential.
Joe Arpaio’s story is an American story. From humble beginnings in an Italian immigrant family, he went to public schools in Springfield, Massachusetts. Upon graduation, he did what many patriotic, working class kids with uncertain prospects did in the 1950’s—he joined the army. He trained as a Military Policeman and found his future.
His civilian career began in 1957, as a street cop in the District of Columbia. In 1960 he became a Special Agent with the Federal Narcotics Administration which later became the Drug Enforcement Administration. Over the next 25 years he rose thru the ranks on overseas assignments in Argentina, Turkey, and Mexico. He capped his career as the DEA’s Special Agent in Charge in Arizona, overseeing federal drug enforcement activity in the state.
By the time Arpaio was elected Maricopa County Sheriff in 1993, he was one of the country’s top experts in drug smuggling and interdiction. Over the next 24 years he created the persona as “America’s Toughest Sheriff” and became one of the most charismatic and media savvy figures in Arizona politics.
In 2018, at President Trump’s late October airport rally in Mesa, I witnessed the power of the brand. Arpaio had lost his bid for a seventh term as Sheriff in 2016. After years of litigation in federal court over his immigration enforcement policies as Sheriff, U.S. District Court Judge Murray Snow found him guilty of criminal contempt. Arpaio was facing a potential jail term when President Trump stepped in with a full pardon in August 2017.
I had just won the LD1 Republican primary for reelection to the state legislature and had a coveted VIP ticket to the rally. I was seated in the section with former Governor Jan Brewer. Governor Doug Ducey and other top political figures in the state hovered nearby. But it was Sheriff Joe who got all the attention. Trump introduced him to raucous cheers. Lines formed for photo ops and autographs. No one clamored for the attention of the Governor or other dignitaries. Arpaio was the reigning folk hero. There were only two real celebrities at the rally that night in Mesa–President Trump and Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
Photo: Sheriff Joe singing “I Did it My Way”
Saturday night’s 91st birthday bash was a love fest by any standard. It was an invitation only, RSVP event so I won’t mention names. But elected officials, both current and former, were well represented. Many friends, former colleagues and political allies filled the hall. Joe sang his signature cover of the Sinatra classic, “I Did It My Way”, and spent a half hour posing for pictures and signing autographs. He looked great. He sounded strong. “America’s Toughest Sheriff.” Still in the game.
