When the editor approached me about writing this article I immediately agreed. In fact, I looked upon it as a privilege. Since I first started writing for Shooting Times I have been lucky to come to know and work with some of the finest firearms writers in the industry. One of these is a soft-spoken former lawman from the Southwest by the name of Jim Wilson, known simply to many as Sheriff.

A true gentleman, Sheriff Wilson is polite and good-natured, but there is also an unmistakable tone of authority in his voice. He is also a gifted storyteller, and I always look forward to time spent in his presence. For me, having grown up in rural Maine just a stone's throw from the black North Atlantic where the five-masted schooner was born, his tales of the Southwest are fascinatingly exotic.

Born in Austin, Texas, Sheriff Wilson graduated from high school in San Antonio before attending Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. Then, in the spring of 1968, he went to work for the police department in Denton, Texas. From patrolman he worked his way up to detective, detective sergeant, narcotics squad supervisor, and, finally, lieutenant.

In 1976 he went over to the Denton County Sheriff's Office, eventually becoming Chief Deputy. In 1985 he went to work for the Crockett County Sheriff's Office in Ozona, Texas. When the Sheriff there decided to retire, Wilson ran for the position and was elected in 1988. He served two four-year terms before retiring in 1996 to write full-time for Shooting Times. An integral part of the Shooting Times crew, he now serves as our Handgun Editor.

SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer:	Ed Brown Products, Inc.
Model:	Sherrif Jim Wilson
Operation:	Recoil-operated autoloader
Caliber:	.45 ACP
Barrel Length:	5 inches
Overall Length:	8.75 inches
Weight, empty	38 ounces
Safety:	Extended thumb safety. Memory groove beavertail grip safety
Sights:	Fixed Novak rear, Trijicon front with tritium insert
Stocks:	Bar S-Grips Tru Ivory
Magazine Capacity:	7 rounds
Finish:	Matte Blue
Price:	$2295

Well respected in the industry for his commonsense attitude and writing, I suppose it was only a matter of time before a manufacturer decided to build a model based upon his input. However, when it happened it was no less an iconic manufacturer than Ed Brown.

I asked Sheriff Wilson how it came about, and he replied, "Ed Brown approached me at this last S.H.O.T. Show and asked if I would consider allowing them to do a 'Sheriff Jim Wilson' limited-edition 1911. I was pleased to do this as I already had one Ed Brown 1911, a .38 Super, and I had developed a great deal of respect for Ed Brown's work.

"You will notice that this 1911 has no forward cocking serrations, squared trigger guard, or accessory rails. Checkering is limited to the frontstrap. I think a fighting pistol should be devoid of all such silliness…more especially they are things that can make the pistol hang up or will hamper a smooth draw.

The pistol should have a good trigger and sights that are easily seen, this Ed Brown gun has both. I can't think of any reason that I deserve to be honored with a great 1911, such as this Ed Brown pistol. But maybe when folks see it they will pause a moment and think of the great Southwestern lawmen that have crossed the river for the last time--Bill Jordan, Dogie Wright, Skeeter Skelton, Frank Hamer, Capt. A.Y. Allee, Lee Trimble, Dan Westbrook, and many more. Ours is a better and safer world because they packed a badge and enforced the law."