Austin Meehan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sheriff of Philadelphia | |
| In office January 3, 1944 – January 7, 1952 | |
| Succeeded by | William M. Lennox |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 29, 1897 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | October 5, 1961 (aged 64) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Resting place | Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Jane McNulty |
| Children | 8, including Billy Meehan |
Austin Andrew Meehan, Sr., (August 29, 1897 – October 5, 1961) was a Republican politician in Philadelphia who served as county sheriff. Before entering politics, Meehan ran his family's paving business and was known as a local basketball star. Beginning as an insurgent within the city's Republican Party, he soon won the favor of party bosses and climbed the ranks of Philadelphia's Republican organization. Meehan served two terms as county sheriff from 1944 to 1952 and was recognized as the unofficial head of the Republican Party in Philadelphia in the 1950s. He remained an influential party member until his death in 1961. He was the father of Billy Meehan.