The department employs about 516 sworn officers and more than 872 civilian employees and corrections personnel and utilizes the services of over 400 volunteers.
According to historian David Leighton, of the Arizona Daily Star newspaper, Ed Echols was born in Stockdale, Texas, in 1879.
In 1902, along with his brother Art he traveled by wagon to Cochise County, Arizona, where he worked selling cords of wood and also as a ranch hand.
On the tour, he also befriended future film actor Tom Mix whom he would remain friends with for years to come.
In 1934, Echols ran for sheriff of Pima County, even having his friend and movie star Will Rogers campaign for him, but still lost the election.
By 1944, his staff had increased to 24 with 12 deputies in Tucson, 4 in Ajo, 1 in Marana, 1 in Arivaca, 3 jailers, 1 matron and 2 cooks.
A veteran of over 50 years in local law enforcement, he served as sheriff of Pima County from February 1980 till he retired in 2015; he was elected seven times.