An observation.  I think the Sheriff is somewhat friendly to Patrick.  He may have known about "the list" and played into the "fear of heights" thing.  He had to forego that fakery when he did in fact have to climb the ladder and walk on the roof to do his Sheriff job and save Jane. 

He seemed honest when he showed his tattoo and said "it's not what you think".  That means "I'm faking my allegiance to the group so I can get close to catching Red John, too".  (But, if you make me go through with this, I'll have to set off my bomb - dang it... I'll ruin a perfectly good hat).

Here is my thought:  At Napa Valley, he "sneaks up" on Jane.  And, they discuss hunting.  Sheriff says I hunt "anything with a face" and gives his little grin.  Wellllllll  what's the big tease all these seasons???  Red Johns' SMILEY FACE.  So, I do not think Sheriff is RJ, but is hunting RJ as well, for whatever reasons of his own.

And... in the end of Desert Rose, Jane asks CBI Ron - "have you seen Lisbon"?  He answers (probably truthfully, because he's right there - duh) "No" and walks away with his cell phone in his hand, and two seconds later Jane gets "the call".  I have to think CBI Ron is at least a helper, devotee, something of Red John.

Kevin Corrigan is great.  I wish he'd been around more. 

Those are my thoughts.  Worth the paper they're printed on!!!