(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Auditor’s Office said Tuesday evening, that “Out of deepest respect, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors would like to announce that some courthouse departments and other county department locations may be closed for the funeral of the late Montgomery County Sheriff, Joe Sampson on Thursday, June 29^th.

Joe Sampson died Sunday, June 25th, at the age of 67. His funeral services take place 10-a.m. Thursday, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Red Oak. Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel in Red Oak is in charge of arrangements.

Sampson served as sheriff in Montgomery County from 2009 until his retirement in December, 2020.  A native of Elliott, Joe Sampson began his law enforcement career serving as a military police officer in the U-S Army during the Vietnam War. He then joined the Griswold Police Department in 1977, and served as an officer before becoming chief. Sampson joined the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in September, 1992, and worked as a road deputy, civil process deputy, jail administrator and first deputy until becoming sheriff.

Sampson’s successor as sheriff, Jon Spunaugle, worked with Sampson for 22 years, including 12 years as his chief deputy.