Cassia County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Jim Higens

Sheriff Higens started his Law Enforcement career in 1970 working for the Burley Police Department.  From 1970 to 1986 he worked as a patrol officer, detective, narcotics officer, and patrol lieutenant.  In 1986 Sheriff Higens went to work for the Cassia County Sheriff's Office as a patrol lieutenant.   He was promoted to Undersheriff, and in 2000 he ran for Sheriff.  Sheriff Higens was sworn in as Sheriff in 2001.  He is currently in his second term as Sheriff. 

Sheriff Higens was a former U.S. Marine, Viet Nam Veteran.  He has held and continues to hold several positions including former president of the Burley Kiwanis Club, former president of the Idaho Sheriff's Association; he is currently sitting on the Board of Directors of the Idaho Association of Counties.  He is on several local and statewide committees dealing with drug court, mental health issues, jails, transportation, and criminal justice.  Sheriff Higens holds an advanced certificate from P.O.S.T., an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, and he attended the FBI National Academy.  He has received several awards for service and received the Idaho Association of Counties "Mills Adler" Award for outstanding county elected official in 2006. 

Sheriff Higens has been married for 35 years and has 8 children, and 13 grandchildren. 

Captain Cary Bristol

Cary Bristol received a degree in Law Enforcement from the College of Southern Idaho in 1977.  He started his Law Enforcement Career with the City of Burley in July of 1977.  He Left the City of Burley to work for the Cassia County Sheriff's Office October of 1981.  Captain Bristol was the resident deputy in the Declo area for over seven years and was promoted to Sergeant at that time.  After the County contracted with the City of Burley, Captain Bristol was moved into Burley to become a supervisor for the city patrol.  Bristol was promoted to Lieutenant of the patrol division in 1996.  After Sheriff Higens was elected in 2000, Bristol was appointed as the Undersheriff. 

Captain Bristol is a graduate of Northwestern University Traffic Institute School of Police Staff and Command Class #112 in 1997.

Captain Bristol holds an Advanced and Management certificate from P.O.S.T.

Captain Bristol is currently a volunteer firefighter with the Burley Fire Department and has held that position since 1990. 

Captain Bristol is currently a member of the Burley Kiwanis Club.