If there is one specific law enforcement character most associated with the western world, it is definitely the sheriff. Not the United States Marshalls, not the policemen, not anyone else but the sheriff. In the west, the sheriff is the law, and he carries with him the full authority of the law. That is why there are so many Old West Badges replica available in the market, for those who want to dress up like a sheriff. The most famous of course is the star shaped badge, such as the Lincoln County Sheriff Badge. He who wears this is a man of power, of authority, of respect. In the west, especially in the old west, where the law seems to have its own character, dos and donts, the sheriff still reigns supreme. He is the most respected of all, his word is always the final word, and even those who like to stay on the wrong side of the law fear and respect him. He may not carry too many swords, but he certainly carries with him a powerful gun. The sheriff is responsible for a county, that is his area of responsibility. Anything that happens there is his responsibility and command. He is the first point of call of anyone who is in trouble, and he also tries to resolve things at his level. Of course, he is also the link to other forces of the law, but everything goes through him first. Such is the power of the sheriff in the past. The term sheriff may not connote the same responsibilities and powers today, but there was a time when sheriffs where virtually kings of their domain.