James Rhodes becomes Clackamas County’s 34th Sheriff
HOODVIEW NEWS |
By BEN WEST Clackamas County Commissioner, Position 5
Ben West
On August 3rd, Clackamas County marked a pivotal moment in its law enforcement history as James Rhodes was sworn in as the county’s 34th Sheriff. This transition follows the abrupt resignation of Sheriff Angela Brandenburg, [which had left] the department and the community in a state of uncertainty.
Upon stepping down, Brandenburg selected Undersheriff Jesse Ashby as her preferred successor. The Board of County Commissioners, as required by Oregon law, carefully considered the options before us. We had no misgivings about Undersheriff Ashby’s qualifications or dedication. However, given the sudden vacancy and the leadership void left by the previous Sheriff, it was clear that the department and community needed immediate, decisive action to maintain stability. That is why my fellow Commissioners and I appointed James Rhodes Sheriff. Rhodes’ experience and broad support made him the right choice to lead Clackamas County at this critical moment. The lone dissenting vote came from Chair Craig Roberts.
Twenty-eight years of experience
James Rhodes brings more than 28 years of dedicated law enforcement service, most of it spent serving the people of Clackamas County. His career began as a reserve officer with the Oregon City Police Department. Through years of commitment and leadership, he rose through the ranks to become Chief of Police in Wilsonville and later Undersheriff for Clackamas County. His depth of experience and proven track record made him the clear choice to lead during this time of uncertainty.
Sheriff Rhodes will appear on the November ballot, allowing voters to elect him to a full four-year term. His candidacy is already bolstered by a significant endorsement from the Clackamas County Peace Officers Association (CCPOA)—the union representing the county’s rank-and-file deputies and career staff—which voted overwhelmingly to endorse him, with 89.5% of members supporting Rhodes’ candidacy. This powerful coalition demonstrates that Rhodes is building bridges and filling a vital leadership void, with the trust and backing of leaders across the political spectrum. This endorsement is particularly meaningful given the decade of division between the union and the Sheriff’s administration. Rhodes is the first sitting Sheriff to receive the union’s support in many years, signaling a new era of collaboration and trust within the department.
Steady, experienced leadership
When the Sheriff’s seat was unexpectedly vacated, I advocated for steady, experienced leadership and made my support for Rhodes’s appointment clear through the formal Board process. We could not stand by and allow the department to drift into dysfunction, especially with the law enforcement levy’s fate hanging in the balance.
A lack of leadership and engagement during the May primary contributed to the levy’s defeat—an outcome with serious consequences for public safety. The levy is vital: it funds 26 mental health and medical beds, 84 standard jail beds, 36 jail deputies, 34 patrol deputies, specialized drug enforcement efforts, five detectives, a body-worn camera program, and two internal affairs investigators. We knew that strong, visible leadership—something the community had not seen in recent months—was critical to restoring trust and moving forward.
Sheriff Rhodes understands what is at stake: the daily operations of the Sheriff’s Office, the safety of our neighborhoods, and the public trust needed to secure the resources our community depends on. He is committed to showing up, engaging directly with residents, supporting deputies and staff, and bringing confidence in the leadership of the Sheriff’s Office. At this critical moment, Clackamas County needs a Sheriff with experience, stability, and the trust of those he leads. Sheriff Rhodes is that leader, and I urge voters to join me in supporting him as our next Clackamas County Sheriff. ■
Ben West has been a Clackamas County Commissioner since 2023 and was formerly a Wilsonville city councilor.
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James Rhodes becomes Clackamas County’s 34th Sheriff
By BEN WEST
Clackamas County Commissioner, Position 5
On August 3rd, Clackamas County marked a pivotal moment in its law enforcement history as James Rhodes was sworn in as the county’s 34th Sheriff. This transition follows the abrupt resignation of Sheriff Angela Brandenburg, [which had left] the department and the community in a state of uncertainty.
Upon stepping down, Brandenburg selected Undersheriff Jesse Ashby as her preferred successor. The Board of County Commissioners, as required by Oregon law, carefully considered the options before us. We had no misgivings about Undersheriff Ashby’s qualifications or dedication. However, given the sudden vacancy and the leadership void left by the previous Sheriff, it was clear that the department and community needed immediate, decisive action to maintain stability. That is why my fellow Commissioners and I appointed James Rhodes Sheriff. Rhodes’ experience and broad support made him the right choice to lead Clackamas County at this critical moment. The lone dissenting vote came from Chair Craig Roberts.
Twenty-eight years of experience
James Rhodes brings more than 28 years of dedicated law enforcement service, most of it spent serving the people of Clackamas County. His career began as a reserve officer with the Oregon City Police Department. Through years of commitment and leadership, he rose through the ranks to become Chief of Police in Wilsonville and later Undersheriff for Clackamas County. His depth of experience and proven track record made him the clear choice to lead during this time of uncertainty.
Sheriff Rhodes will appear on the November ballot, allowing voters to elect him to a full four-year term. His candidacy is already bolstered by a significant endorsement from the Clackamas County Peace Officers Association (CCPOA)—the union representing the county’s rank-and-file deputies and career staff—which voted overwhelmingly to endorse him, with 89.5% of members supporting Rhodes’ candidacy. This powerful coalition demonstrates that Rhodes is building bridges and filling a vital leadership void, with the trust and backing of leaders across the political spectrum. This endorsement is particularly meaningful given the decade of division between the union and the Sheriff’s administration. Rhodes is the first sitting Sheriff to receive the union’s support in many years, signaling a new era of collaboration and trust within the department.
Steady, experienced leadership
When the Sheriff’s seat was unexpectedly vacated, I advocated for steady, experienced leadership and made my support for Rhodes’s appointment clear through the formal Board process. We could not stand by and allow the department to drift into dysfunction, especially with the law enforcement levy’s fate hanging in the balance.
A lack of leadership and engagement during the May primary contributed to the levy’s defeat—an outcome with serious consequences for public safety. The levy is vital: it funds 26 mental health and medical beds, 84 standard jail beds, 36 jail deputies, 34 patrol deputies, specialized drug enforcement efforts, five detectives, a body-worn camera program, and two internal affairs investigators. We knew that strong, visible leadership—something the community had not seen in recent months—was critical to restoring trust and moving forward.
Sheriff Rhodes understands what is at stake: the daily operations of the Sheriff’s Office, the safety of our neighborhoods, and the public trust needed to secure the resources our community depends on. He is committed to showing up, engaging directly with residents, supporting deputies and staff, and bringing confidence in the leadership of the Sheriff’s Office. At this critical moment, Clackamas County needs a Sheriff with experience, stability, and the trust of those he leads. Sheriff Rhodes is that leader, and I urge voters to join me in supporting him as our next Clackamas County Sheriff. ■
Ben West has been a Clackamas County Commissioner since 2023 and was formerly a Wilsonville city councilor.