On Sept. 30, Marion County Board of Commissioners conducted a swearing-in ceremony, appointing Jason Myers to the sheriff’s position. Myers, formerly the undersheriff, is a 19-year veteran of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
He replaces former Sheriff Russ Isham who resigned Aug. 19 and will serve until a new sheriff is elected in the November 2010 general election.
“The staff is dedicated and committed to providing exceptional public safety services. Jason will continue to provide stability and consistency to the office and keep it moving forward,” said Board Chair Commissioner Patti Milne.
“This has been a thorough and thoughtful process,” explained Commissioner Sam Brentano. “And it will be a smooth transition under Jason’s excellent leadership,” he said.
Myers, his wife, Larena, and two sons live on a small farm in the Stayton area. He was born in Portland and raised in Salem. He is a graduate of McKay High School and Chemeketa Community College where he earned an Associates of Science Degree in Law Enforcement.
His career in law enforcement began at the 18 when he became a cadet with the Salem Police Department. Shortly afterward, he was hired by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office as a summer Park Cadet, which began his career at the Marion County office.
After serving during the summers as a Cadet, he joined the Marion County Reserve Deputy Program. In September 1990, he was hired as a full time deputy sheriff. During his career with the Sheriff’s Office he served as a patrol deputy, field training deputy, judicial security deputy, school resource officer, detective, patrol sergeant, narcotics detective sergeant, administrative lieutenant, Operations Division commander, undersheriff, and now acting sheriff.
Over the years, he has helped to develop policies and procedures, helped craft a strategic plan, negotiated union contracts, prepared the office budget, and provided leadership to all divisions of the office, including Enforcement, Institutions, Operations and Parole & Probation.
Myers holds an Executive Police Certificate from the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, and has completed the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association Command College. He also recently completed the Salem Chamber of Commerce Leadership Development Course.
