Denita Ball

Sheriff Denita R. Ball was elected the 66th Sheriff of Milwaukee County on Nov. 8, 2022, making her the first female sheriff in the history of the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, and the first African American female sheriff in Wisconsin. Sheriff Ball is committed to servant leadership and has pledged the Sheriff’s Office will protect the citizens and workers of, and visitors to, Milwaukee County with professionalism, integrity, fairness and respect. Sheriff Ball leads nearly 600 members, including more than 250 deputy sheriffs, 160 correctional officers and hundreds of civilian support and administrative staff who are tasked with the safety and security of the 150-plus miles of the Milwaukee County freeway system, more than 150 county parks, the Milwaukee County Courthouse Complex, extended circuit court system, public safety building, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airportmand numerous other county facilities and properties. A native of Arkansas, Sheriff Ball holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from the UW–Milwaukee and is a doctorate of philosophy in educational leadership from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee. Her doctoral dissertation is titled “Lethal Force: A Police Officer’s Deadly Experience.”