On Wednesday, Dec. 18, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners approved the appointment of Kent van der Kamp as Deschutes County Sheriff for the period of January 1, 2025, until his term of office begins on January 6, 2025. The appointment is required by state law (ORS 236.210) because Sheriff Shane Nelson retires on Dec. 31, leaving the position vacant until van der Kamp can be officially sworn in on Monday, Jan. 6.
“I am deeply honored to accept the appointment by the Board of Commissioners to serve as Deschutes County Sheriff during this transitional period. I look forward to officially stepping into this role and continuing to build on the trust and collaboration our community deserves.”
“I am also thrilled to introduce our new command staff, who will bring their leadership and expertise to guide us through this journey:
- Undersheriff Aaron Wells
- Patrol Captain Mike Sundberg
- Detective Captain Ty Rupert
- Corrections Captain Mike Shults
- Administrative Captain Bill Bailey
These individuals bring a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to excellence. I am confident their leadership will inspire and support us all as we work toward our shared goals.” said Sheriff-elect Kent van der Kamp.
On November 5th, 2024, Kent van der Kamp was elected as the 10th Sheriff of Deschutes County, Oregon. Sheriff van der Kamp oversees the 3055 square mile county and manages more than 260 employees. The office operates with a $67 million dollar budget that includes patrol, corrections, court security, search and rescue, administrative services, special services, SWAT and automotive maintenance. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office provides patrol services throughout the county and the incorporated cities of Sisters and La Pine. Sheriff van der Kamp’s greatest responsibilities is to protect the people who live and visit Deschutes County.
