The county sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of the county, responsible for maintaining the peace and enforcing state criminal laws. The sheriff must attend court and is required to serve and execute processes, subpoenas, writs and orders as directed by the court. The sheriff operates the county jail, and must maintain and feed prisoners. The sheriff is also fire warden for prairie or forest fires in the county. Finally, the sheriff performs certain functions in connection with sales of real and personnel property to satisfy debt or tax liens.