In early colonial America, who was appointed by the governor with duties including managing jails, pursuing offenders, and serving as coroner?

• A. Constable
• B. Sheriff
• C. Coroner
• D. Magistrate

Answer: (B)

In colonial America, the sheriff was the primary law-enforcement official appointed by the governor, with duties that included running the jail, pursuing offenders, and often acting as the coroner. This combination shows how colonial authorities centralized enforcement and judicial oversight in one official: keeping prisoners, tracking down criminals, and handling death investigations under one office.

The other roles operate differently: a constable typically handles local policing duties at a more limited level; a coroner’s main focus is investigating deaths and determining their cause; a magistrate serves as a judicial officer who hears cases and issues warrants. None of these single duties align as neatly with all three responsibilities described as the sheriff does.