Article XVII, Section 4 of the Michigan constitution provides that each organized county shall elect a Sheriff, who shall serve for a four (4) year term and whose duties and powers shall be provided by Law.

Mark Lillywhite was elected to serve his first term as Sheriff in 2021. Sheriff Lillywhite is a 25-year employee of the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office and has served in nearly every capacity during that time. He served the department and community as the Undersheriff from 2009 through 2020. Sheriff Lillywhite is married and raising three children in Flowerfield Township.

The Sheriff is first and foremost, a peace officer under Michigan Law. By constitution and Stature, the Sheriff is charged with enforcing the laws enacted by the Legislature under the police power of the state, and with discharging the executive law enforcement power for the preservation of public peace within the county.

As an elected official, the Sheriff is directly responsible to the citizens of St. Joseph County for the provision of effective and acceptable law enforcement services, as well as the safe and effective operation of the jail.

Divisions & Units

• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
• Corrections
• Criminal Investigations
• Dive Rescue & Recovery
• Explorers Program
• Marine Patrol
• Mounted Division
• Reserves
• Special Response Team
• Uniformed Services (Patrol)
• Victim Services

Department Contacts