 When the demand for his services dwindled, Standifer ran and was elected as County Sheriff for Crosby County, Texas from 1888 through 1894.While serving as Sheriff, in 1891, he and Deputy Charlie Quillen pursued a group of Post Office thieves into Lincoln County, New Mexico, where they captured them.On the return trip to Texas, while staying over at the "VVN Ranch" owned by George Neal, the outlaws attempted to overpower him and Deputy Quillen.