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Washington County’s history goes through many versions of government – from a lack thereof to a provisional government and finally to the current version we have today. Throughout the years, there have been many important figures who have helped shape public service. The Hembree family is one amongst them who’ve exemplified this all the way back to 1843. With family members in law enforcement and the military (or both), the values of courage, commitment, charity, and faith are a constant throughout the years.
Our current Sheriff, Caprice (Hembree) Massey, is a living legacy as the first female Sheriff to serve Washington County. This marks the second time she made history after becoming the first woman to run the brig on the United States Navy’s USS Theodore Roosevelt. However, her family’s public safety legacy began 180 years prior when her ancestor, A.J. Hembree, served as the first Sheriff of the Yamhill District. Only after narrowly losing the very first election for Sheriff of Washington County against Joseph Meek.
Much like the emigrants who marked the beginning of the westward expansion, a family’s story of dedication, service, and sacrifice throughout the years teaches and inspires us still today. But this is not where the story ends; delve deeper into the history of Washington County and our Sheriff’s ancestral ties dating back to the beginning.