Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame

Declaration of Enshrinement

November 7, 2012

Jess C. Harris

In 1950, Jess C. Harris won the election to become Sheriff of Elko County where he remained in office until 1974.  Flying for him was always an enormous pleasure and Elko County at that time was the third largest county in the USA, covering was over 17,000 square miles, the 3rd largest in the USA.  He implemented the use of airplanes for many a lot of official uses work. He flew a great many prisoners to the penitentiary in Carson City to the prison and the mental hospital in Sparks to the mental hospital, both about 300 miles away.  He only had to handcuff one prisoner.  He Sheriff Harris had a great rapport with everyone.  He flew around the county looking for lost people, lost livestock, and cattle thieves.  Harris traveled to the remote areas in a short time while driving could take hours.  He flew to the outlying ranches in 20 or 30 minutes, saving the county a lot of time and money.  Harris gained fame early in the West and became famously known as “The Flying Sheriff” who worked well with all facets of law enforcement and the general public.

For his use of aviation in the performance of his duties as sheriff of Elko County, Nevada, Jess C. Harris earned his place in the Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame.

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TD BARNES, Executive Director

Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame