Peter Monroe Hagan

Peter Monroe Hagan (October 15, 1871 – October 24, 1930) was an American law enforcement officer who served as Sheriff of Putnam County, Florida, in 1916–1924 and 1928–1930. He is known for opposing the Ku Klux Klan and mob violence in the county in the violent period between 1915 and 1930. His thwarting of lynching attempts and his winning the pivotal 1928 election became a referendum against Klan and mob violence.

Early life Hagan was born on October 15, 1871, in Bradford County, Florida, to J.C. Hagan and Annie Jane Swindle. He was the 14th of 16 children.

Hagan was ultimately defeated and replaced by R. J. Hancock. The KKK would reach the peak of its local influence two years later, but by 1928 public opinion was shifting and Sheriff Hagan was voted back into office after a four-year absence.