Sheriff Takes the Stand: Using a little ‘Ozark County law’

Editor’s note: This excerpt is from the book, “Sheriff Takes the Stand,” by former Ozark County Sheriff Herman Pierce and Thel Spencer, reprinted with permission from Spencer, the copyright owner. Pierce served as Ozark County Sheriff from 1965 to 1985. He died in 1994.

One person who was important to Herman was Averille Pierce, the sheriff’s brother, who accompanied Herman many times on the long drive up from Ozark County to the state penitentiary when prisoners were to be delivered. One thing Averille noticed was that the closer they got to Jefferson City, the more quiet the prisoners became; and when they saw the walls of the prison looming ahead, a look of abject fear came over their faces. 

On one occasion, Averille remembered making the drive to Jefferson City on a Sunday and arriving there at about 4 o’clock in the afternoon. 

A guard met them at the gate and said they didn’t take prisoners after 2 o’clock. 

Herman said, “You’re taking these.” The guard said no, they weren’t.

With that, Herman applied a little “Ozark County law.” He took the men to a water pipe on the grounds and handcuffed them to it. On the way out, he told the guard, “They’re yours now. You can do what you want with them.” The surprised guard just stood and watched Herman and Averille drive away.