Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio celebrated 22.5 years in office on Tuesday, making him the longest-serving sheriff in county history. Sheriff Cal Boies, who served from 1946-68, previously held that title.
“This is very emotional for me, today to be the longest serving sheriff in Maricopa County history,” Arpaio said in front of his staff and reporters at a celebration Tuesday in his office's lobby. He has been elected to office six times.
Arizona historian Marshall Trimble gave introductory remarks and presented the sheriff with a personalized cowboy hat.
The sheriff also received a gun inscribed with “America’s Toughest Sheriff.” A horse visited the festivities and then cake was served.
Arpaio arose to national prominence for his tough stance on immigration. He’s also received global media attention for his unorthodox programs, such as creating the outdoor jail, Tent City, and requiring inmates to wear pink underwear.
Arpaio's recent years in office have been clouded by legal battles.
In 2013 a federal judge ruled that Arpaio’s immigration enforcement efforts had systematically racially profiled Latino motorists.
This year the sheriff and his chief deputy admitted to committing civil contempt of court by violating the judge’s orders in that lawsuit. They face the possibility of criminal contempt charges as well.
That racial profiling case is projected to cost the county $45 million by mid-2016.
The U.S. Department of Justice also has sued the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office for discriminating against Latinos in a separate lawsuit.
When reporters asked if the 82-year-old sheriff had any regrets about his 22.5 years in office, he said no.
“I did it my way, I took the blows and did it my way, I have no regrets,” Arpaio said. “You always have ups and downs. That is the nature of life and the nature of running a large organization.”
Arpaio turns 83 on June 14 and has promised to run for a seventh term next year.