Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department
25 School St, Ste 216
Houlton, ME 04730
207-532-3471
Peter A. Johnson, Sheriff
Shawn D. Gillen, Chief Deputy
The Sheriff’s Office mission is to protect the lives and property of the people we serve, to reduce the incidence and fear of crime and to increase public safety for those living in and visiting Aroostook County; and to house inmates in a controlled environment that is safe, humane and cost-efficient. We commit to carrying out our mission with honor and integrity, and to retaining public confidence by conducting ourselves with the highest ethical standards.
We have been faithfully serving our neighbors since 1839. At nearly 7,000 square miles, Aroostook County is the largest county east of the Mississippi River; larger than Connecticut and Rhode Island combined. We are a progressive law enforcement and corrections agency that is grounded in tradition, but focused on the future.
Patrol Division
201 – Chief Deputy Shawn D. Gillen
203 – Patrol Commander Lt. Isaac Ward
Phone: 207-532-3471
| Squad 1 | Squad 2 |
| 210 – Sgt. William Janakis | 220 – Sgt. Reid Clark |
| 211 – Deputy Benjamin Wipperman | 221 – Deputy Vacant |
| 212 – Deputy Jacob True | 222 – Deputy Vacant |
| 213 – Deputy Travis Smith | 223 – Deputy Shane Campbell |
| 214 – Deputy Vacant | 224 – Deputy Gary McGuire |
| Squad 3 | Squad 4 |
| 230 – Sgt. Ryan Johnston | 240 – Sgt. Nathan Chisholm |
| 231 – Deputy Vacant | 241 – Deputy Vacant |
| 232 – Deputy Timothy Fridinger | 242 – Deputy Dustin Charette – K9 Handler |
| 233 – Deputy Richard York | 243 – Deputy Benjamin Boutilier |
| 234 – Deputy Ethan Jacques | 244 – Deputy Colt Bernhardt |
| Detective Division | |
| 208- Det. Matthew Brown |
Interested in becoming an Aroostook County patrol Deputy?
Visit our Employment Opportunities page for current openings.
Completed Applications can be emailed, along with a cover letter and resume to Lt. Isaac Ward – [email protected].
Civil Service Processing
Primary Contact: Tracy Kala, Administrative Assistant
Phone: 207-532-0701
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address: 25 School St, Ste 216, Houlton, ME 04730
In accordance with Maine Revised Statue, Title 14 Section 702, the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office requires a retainer of $80 to attempt service.
*** $80 per person or $80 per service ***
• Please make all payments payable to: ACSO (Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office)
• Accepted forms of payment include: Money order, cashier’s check, bank check.
• Please make sure your information is on your payment.
Civil papers can be printed from your local court’s website. The Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office does not have copies of any court forms.
Submission Requirements
• Is the address for the person(s) to be served in Aroostook County?
If NO, please submit your paperwork to the appropriate County.
• Do you have ONE ORIGINAL document for each person to be served?
• Do you have ONE COPY for each person to be served?
• Is your paperwork COMPLETELY FILLED OUT, including addresses, date and court information?
Download a copy of our CIVIL SERVICE CHECKLIST.
Important disclaimers
• Please be mindful that the role of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s office is to deliver your civil service documents.
• The Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office cannot give legal advice or assist you in filling out your documents.
• The Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office cannot advise you as to what is the best way to handle a situation.
• By accepting your documents for civil service, the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office is not expressing an opinion that the documents are filled out properly or legally sufficient for your purpose. The responsibility lies in the hands of the individual who has prepared the civil papers for service, not the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office.
Aroostook County Jail
15 Broadway St
Houlton, ME 04730
207-532-7317
Jail Administrator: Commander Craig Clossey
Assistant Jail Administrator: Captain Larry Goff
The Aroostook County Jail, located in Houlton, serves as the main correctional facility for the county. Operated by the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, it houses inmates awaiting trial or sentencing as well as those serving short-term sentences, generally under 24 months. As a medium-security facility, it ensures the secure detention of both male and female offenders charged with various offenses. The jail plays a crucial role in maintaining local law enforcement efforts by collaborating with agencies such as local police departments and Maine State Police.
Established in 1859, Aroostook County Jail has a capacity of approximately 117 inmates, making it a relatively small facility. The jail handles over 1,500 inmates annually, balancing the needs of pretrial detainees and sentenced individuals. Its staff is dedicated to providing a secure and rehabilitative environment, aiming to ensure the well-being of both inmates and the broader community.
RESIDENT SEARCH – AROOSTOOK COUNTY JAIL RESIDENT PORTAL
Interested in becoming an Aroostook County corrections officer?
Visit our Employment Opportunities page for current openings.
Completed Applications can be emailed, along with a cover letter and resume to Terri Sennett, Administrative Assistant- [email protected].
All Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department policies & procedures can be found HERE.
If you require more information regarding this agency or its policies and procedures, please contact the Aroostook County Sheriffs Office – Law Enforcement Division at 207-532-0701.
Fales & Fales, P.A. is pleased to sponsor this new Scholarship to acknowledge law enforcement officers and their families.
One university or law school student who is a family member of a law enforcement officer will be awarded a $1,000 financial aid Scholarship.
The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to one applicant who submits the required application, official transcript, and essay by our deadline.
Additional information and a link to the application can be found at HERE.
Aroostook County Sheriff
Peter Andrew Johnson currently serves as the Sheriff of Aroostook County. He was appointed to the position by Governor Janet Mills on September 1, 2023. Following his appointment, he ran for election in 2024, was elected by the voters in November, and officially took office as the elected sheriff on January 2, 2025.
As Sheriff, Peter is dedicated to fulfilling the mission of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office: protecting the lives and property of the people it serves, reducing both the incidence and fear of crime, and enhancing public safety for residents and visitors throughout Aroostook County. He is equally committed to ensuring that inmates are housed in a controlled environment that is safe, humane, and cost-efficient. Peter strives to carry out these responsibilities with honor and integrity while maintaining the highest ethical standards and preserving the public’s trust. He hopes to continue serving the people of Aroostook County and plans to seek re-election in November 2028.
A lifelong resident of Aroostook County, Peter was born in Presque Isle and raised in Crouseville. He currently resides in Presque Isle. He graduated from Washburn District High School in 1992.
After high school, Peter attended the University of Maine at Presque Isle while working full time. In 1998, he graduated with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science. For nearly a decade following graduation, he worked in the social services field, serving in several roles including Children’s Case Manager, Registered Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and a supervisor working with juveniles involved in the Department of Corrections.
Peter began his career in law enforcement in 2008 when he joined the Presque Isle Police Department as a full-time Patrol Officer. In 2012, he was selected to serve as a Special Agent with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In 2014, Peter accepted an opportunity to join the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office as a full-time Patrol Deputy. After one year, he was promoted to the rank of Detective. He later returned to patrol duties and served as Patrol Sergeant in 2018. In December of that same year, he returned to the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency as a Supervisory Special Agent. In late 2022, Peter was promoted to Patrol Commander for the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, a role he held until his appointment as Sheriff.
Beyond his leadership within law enforcement, Peter remains actively involved in the community. He serves on several boards throughout Aroostook County, including United Way Aroostook, the Hope and Justice Project, and Community Action in Aroostook, Washington, and Hancock Counties.
Through his professional career and community service, Peter continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to public safety, ethical leadership, and the well-being of the communities he proudly serves.
Click here to visit the Sheriff’s Office page.
Aroostook Sheriff’s Office
25 School Street
Houlton, Maine 04730
(207) 532-3471