Joe Walker only held the post of sheriff in Jackson County for a year and a half after which he had had enough of living in routine society and declined re-election. While he was in office though, he summoned and paid the expenses of the jurors, witnesses and managed the local jail which was a log building constructed in 1827 at the cost of $150.During Walker's time as sheriff he held one cattle and 2 horse thieves in custody. Rustling was the most common crime at that time.
Walker maintained courtroom order and considering trials were regarded as social entertainment - it wasn't easy. There were competitive - with observers rooting for their favorites. Today you could compare it to a sporting event.
A year after Joe left the community and his job as sheriff, the town had its first murder. There was a Mormon-Scotch Irish feud going on. The Mormons called the Scotch-Irish "Missouri pukes" and well...the murderers were beaten and tossed out of town.
No wonder Walker wanted to move on!