Edna Reed Clayton DeWees

Edna Reed DeWees (formerly Clayton; September 5, 1921 – January 22, 2009) was an American law enforcement officer. As the sheriff of Loving County, Texas, from 1945 to 1947, she was the first woman to be elected sheriff in the state of Texas.

Life and career Edna Reed was born to Harry and Esther Edith Reed on September 5, 1921, in Gloster, Mississippi. Her parents moved to Texas before she turned one year old, and she attended school in Breckenridge.

DeWees was appointed sheriff of Loving County, Texas, in 1945, at the age of 24. Although DeWees was the first woman elected sheriff in Texas, she was only the second woman to serve as sheriff in the state; Emma Daugherty Banister had been appointed as sheriff in Coleman County in 1918, but was never elected to that position.

DeWees served as sheriff from 1945 (the year of her appointment and her election She also did not carry a firearm. which contributed to its low crime rate.

DeWees was married twice, to George C. Clayton and to Lawrence DeWees, and she had five children. She retired to a ranch near Mentone and died at the age of 87 in 2009 from Alzheimer's disease.