Richard K. Jones, Butler County Sheriff Biography: Jones, 55, is a Hamilton native who was sworn in as Butler County sheriff in 2005. Before that, he was chief deputy for 12 years. Jones holds a master’s degree in corrections from Xavier University and served as a major at the Lebanon Correctional Institute before joining the sheriff’s office. As sheriff, Jones has built a tough-on-crime reputation and enjoyed national prominence for his tough stance on illegal immigration.