is watching you! ;P. No really... During his reign King Alfred appointed a representative called a "reeve" to act on behalf of the king in each shire. The "shire reeve" or King's representative in each shire became "sheriff" as the English language evolved. The shire reeve, or sheriff, was the chief law enforcement officer. The English heritage of the American colonies meant the new United States adopted the English law and legal institutions. So we too have shire reeves in each of our shires of our 50 states although they don't carry crossbows or swords anymore.