Joe Arpaio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joe Arpaio
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Arpaio in 2024
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| 36th Sheriff of Maricopa County | |
| Preceded by | Tom Agnos |
| Succeeded by | Paul Penzone |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Joseph Michael Arpaio
June 14, 1932 Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Ava Lamb
(m. 1958; died 2021) |
| Children | 2 |
| Signature |  |
Joseph Michael Arpaio, born on June 14, 1932, is an American who used to be a police officer and a politician. He is best known for being the Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, for many years.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
Joe Arpaio was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on June 14, 1932. His parents were from Italy. His mother passed away when he was born. His father raised him and ran an Italian grocery store.
After finishing high school, Arpaio worked in his father's store. When he was 18, he joined the United States Army. He served in the Army from 1950 to 1954. During this time, he worked in the Medical Department. He was also stationed in France for a while as a military policeman.
Career in Law Enforcement
After leaving the Army in 1954, Arpaio moved to Washington, D.C.. He became a police officer there. In 1957, he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, and continued his police work.
Later, he became a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. This agency later became part of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Arpaio worked for the DEA for 25 years. He was stationed in places like Argentina, Turkey, and Mexico. He moved up in the ranks to become the head of the DEA's Arizona office.
After leaving the DEA, Arpaio tried a business venture. He helped sell tickets for a space rocket trip. However, no flights ever took off.
Sheriff of Maricopa County
In 1992, Joe Arpaio was elected Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona. He held this important job for 24 years, from 1993 to 2017. As sheriff, Arpaio often sought attention from the news media. He was featured in news stories around the world. He once said he appeared on TV about 200 times a month.
Starting in 2005, Arpaio became very vocal about illegal immigration. He called himself "America's Toughest Sheriff." In 2010, he created a group of volunteers called a "posse." This group helped his deputies with immigration-related tasks. Famous actors like Steven Seagal joined this posse. The posse is no longer active today.
Arpaio's time as sheriff was often debated. His methods were criticized by government groups and other organizations. These groups included the United States Department of Justice and Amnesty International. The New York Times newspaper even called him "America's Worst Sheriff."
Over the years, Arpaio faced several legal challenges regarding his actions. In 2017, he was found to have not followed a court order. However, President Donald Trump later gave him a pardon. This meant he was excused from the punishment.
Arpaio tried to be elected sheriff again in 2016. But he lost the election to Paul Penzone. Penzone later changed many of Arpaio's policies. Arpaio also tried to run for the U.S. Senate in 2018 but was not successful. In 2020, he tried to become Maricopa County Sheriff again but lost. In 2022, he ran for mayor of Fountain Hills, Arizona, but narrowly lost that election too.
Personal Life
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Joe Arpaio married his wife, Ava, in 1958. They had two children together. Ava passed away in 2021 due to health issues. As of 2008, Arpaio lived in Fountain Hills, Arizona.
Images for kids
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Arpaio with State Senator Russell Pearce in 2010
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President Trump's full pardon of Joe Arpaio
See also
In Spanish: Joe Arpaio para niños
