Lane County commissioners appoint Carl E. Wilkerson as sheriff after public interview

Carl E. Wilkerson, the acting sheriff and chief deputy of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, was appointed Lane County sheriff by the Lane County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, following a public interview and unanimous 5-0 vote on board order 25061101.

Wilkerson will serve as sheriff effective June 11, 2025, until the vacancy created by the resignation of Sheriff Cliff Harold is filled by election. The board conducted an open application period from May 16 to May 27 after Harold announced his retirement on May 1 and left office May 16; three applications were received and two candidates were screened out for not meeting the county residency requirement, leaving Wilkerson as the sole qualified applicant to be interviewed.

The open-interview process was explained at the outset by Chair Lovell, who told the public the board selected an open application and interview process "in order to provide the most transparent and open process for our community." Chief Human Resources Officer Alana Holmes noted the panel had a prepared list of interview questions and said, "you have interview questions, and there are a total of 12," and that follow-up questions on answers were allowed so long as they remained on topic.

In the interview, Wilkerson outlined his background and reasons for seeking the appointment. He told commissioners he moved to Lane County in 1979, grew up in Creswell and has spent more than 30 years in local law enforcement, including assignments in corrections, patrol, traffic safety and investigations. He described managerial responsibilities as chief deputy, including contract negotiations, labor relations, budgeting, policy development and training. "I do solemnly swear that I will carry out the duties of the office to the best of my ability," Wilkerson said when reading the oath language he would take if appointed.

Commissioners focused questions on department culture, resource needs, community partnerships and care for adults in custody. Wilkerson said the sheriff’s office is under-resourced and stressed the effect on both public safety response and staff workload, saying deputies often go "from call to call to call" and that the office must rely on partnerships with other local agencies. On care in the jail, Wilkerson described the jail as "a little city" with a five-person mental-health team under the county’s contract with Wellpath; he said booking assessments and case-management teams are used to address medical and behavioral-health needs and to pursue warm handoffs to community partners when feasible.

On questions about immigration enforcement and the rights of transgender people, Wilkerson referenced applicable law and County oath obligations and said the sheriff’s office follows state law regarding information-sharing with federal immigration authorities. He said the office reports contacts with federal immigration authorities as required and described a multidisciplinary approach for transgender adults in custody that includes security staff, mental-health staff and consultants to develop individualized management plans. Wilkerson said, "we should treat other people the way we want to be treated," and emphasized adherence to law and county policies.

During deliberations the board members praised Wilkerson’s experience, community ties and leadership. Vice Chair Seneca and multiple commissioners described his work on regional safety and budget issues and his partnerships with courts, schools and service providers. A motion to approve board order 25061101 to appoint Carl E. Wilkerson as Lane County sheriff was moved (mover not specified in the public record of the meeting) and seconded by Commissioner Buck; the board then took a roll-call vote and the motion carried unanimously 5-0. The clerk announced "Motion passes 5 0."

Wilkerson spoke briefly at the conclusion of the interview, thanking the board and the community for the process and saying he was "humbled" by the opportunity to serve. The board cleared the meeting space to hold a public swearing-in ceremony scheduled for 3:00 p.m. the same day.

Votes at a glance: Board order 25061101 — appoint Carl E. Wilkerson as Lane County sheriff, effective 06/11/2025, to serve until the vacancy created by Sheriff Cliff Harold's resignation is filled by election. Motion: to approve order 25061101 (mover not specified; second by Commissioner Buck). Roll-call: Commissioner Buck — Aye; Commissioner Farr — Aye; Commissioner Krieger — Aye; Vice Chair Seneca — Yes; Jared LaValle — Yes. Outcome: approved, 5-0.

Next steps: Wilkerson will serve as the appointed sheriff through the 2026 election cycle; if he seeks to remain in office beyond the appointment period he must run in the 2026 election for the office. The county announced a public swearing-in ceremony for 3:00 p.m. on June 11, 2025.

(Reporting note: direct quotations in this article are taken from the public record of the June 11, 2025 Lane County Board of Commissioners meeting.)