SHERIFF J.W. "JOHNNY" PHILPOT

 ABOUT THE SHERIFF

Sheriff Johnny Philpot is a life-long resident of Sequoyah County, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and has an extensive background in Law Enforcement. His career began with the Sallisaw Police Department in January 1977. He served with the Sallisaw Police Department for six years with four of those as Assistant Chief of Police. In September 1987, he joined the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy under the administration of Sheriff Sam Lockhart. He continued with the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Department under the administration of Sheriff Wade Stovall, serving in the position of undersheriff. From 1992 until his election in 1996, Sheriff Philpot served as an Oklahoma State Parks Ranger at Brushy Lake.

 Sheriff Philpot stated, “I ran my first campaign based on the need to address the drug problem in Sequoyah County, believing the drug situation leads to the vast majority of all crimes reported in Sequoyah County. I began an aggressive, no tolerance policy of enforcing drug laws that has resulted in one of the highest records of drug related arrests, drug lab seizures and subsequent convictions in the State of Oklahoma. This policy of drug enforcement continues to this day and it will continue as long as I am sheriff.” 

Sheriff Philpot also stated “During my term as sheriff, the number of officers patrolling the county has increased from four to twelve. I have obtained a fleet of new patrol vehicles of the type better suited for county law enforcement, self-contained breathing apparatus units, bullet proof vests, complete computer setups and many other items of equipment needed for use by law enforcement officers. I have accomplished this by using the proceeds from drug forfeitures, federal grants and service fees at little or no cost to the taxpayers of Sequoyah County.  

The website you are viewing was created in 2005 by a member of my staff for the purpose of disseminating information about sex and violent offenders to Sequoyah County residents. As the website began to grow, we began using it to educate the public about the dangers of drugs as well as to provide a host of other information on a wide variety of topics. The website continues to grow and change with new information being added almost daily.   

Our officers and employees receive some of the finest training available from across the nation. I believe education is a powerful tool and we are never too old to learn. Under my supervision, the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Department has received commendations from the Governor, House of Representatives, State Senate and the United States Congress.” 

Sheriff Johnny Philpot is a member of the National Sheriff's Association and the Oklahoma Sheriff's Association, where he serves on the Homeland Security Advisory Committee and was inducted into the Oklahoma Sheriffs' Hall of Fame in December 2007.

LONG MAY SHE WAVE!