Malphrus elected Jasper Co. sheriff for 2nd time, unseating incumbent and longtime rival
After being unseated from Jasper County’s top law enforcement position in 2020, former Sheriff Chris Malphrus took the seat back in a close 2024 rematch. He earned 9,175 votes or 51.3% while current Sheriff Donald Hipp earned 8,692 or 48.6%, according to unofficial election results from all precints at scvotes.org.
“As Sheriff-elect I want to say thank you for your encouragement, prayers and confidence to be the law enforcement leader for your communities,” Malphrus wrote on Facebook Tuesday night. “I look forward to meeting with everyone in the near future to work on a successful and smooth position.”
In campaign materials, Malphrus has claimed his tenure as sheriff brought about increased arrests and lower rates of violent crime. If elected, the candidate said he would form an “aggressive” drug enforcement team and increase patrols to build community trust in policing.
The Nov. 5 general election marked the third straight matchup between Hipp and Malphrus for the position. Malphrus beat Hipp 45% to 33% in the 2016 race but was unseated in 2020, when Hipp secured 56% of the vote.
Both candidates spent decades in local law enforcement before stepping up to lead Jasper County’s police force. Malphrus worked as an officer at the Jasper County jail before joining the Ridgeland Police Department, where he served as a K-9 officer supervisor and a corporal of patrol. Hipp spent 25 years at the sheriff’s office as a lieutenant, patrol supervisor, detention officer and major before becoming an investigator with the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office in 2017.
