Five days after the sudden resignation of Sheriff Angela Brandenburg, the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners appointed a new sheriff to lead the agency. Commissioners did not continue with the person Brandenburg designated on her way out the door.
The commissioners’ appointee, James Rhodes, worked for the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office from 1997 until his retirement five years ago. Rhodes’ appointment was nearly unanimous. Only Chair Craig Roberts, who served as sheriff from 2005 to 2024, voted against Rhodes’ appointment Tuesday.
Rhodes will lead the sheriff’s office until a new sheriff is sworn in next year following an election in November. According to Commissioner Ben West — who nominated Rhodes— Rhodes is on vacation in Australia but will be ready to begin serving as sheriff Aug. 3.
West also said Rhodes plans to run for sheriff in November’s election.
Brandenburg’s abrupt retirement
All five members of the commission expressed shock at learning of Brandenburg’s retirement last week, with two years left in her four-year term. In the board’s July 23 business meeting, West described the announcement “like a bomb going off.” On Tuesday, he said her resignation “doesn’t pass the smell test.”
Before voting to appoint Rhodes Tuesday, Commissioner Paul Savas said he would like to know “who knew what and when” about Brandenburg’s retirement. Savas said he did not learn of it until County Administrator Gary Schmidt called him to tell him to check his email for a message from Brandenburg. Savas suggested others may have had more of a heads-up.
West and others also expressed frustration at the timing of Brandenburg’s decision, as the county considered returning to voters to ask for a renewal of the sheriff’s office public safety levy, which failed in the May election. The county needs a leader of the sheriff’s office to advocate for passage of the levy to the public, they said. The commission agreed on Tuesday to wait until May 2027 before putting the measure back on the ballot — a decision influenced by Brandenburg’s sudden retirement.
Brandenburg was first elected sheriff in 2020 after serving with the agency for 30 years. She was re-elected for another four-year term in 2024.
In Tuesday’s discussion, Roberts, who backed Brandenburg in both her elections, said her sudden retirement “creates some challenges.” He implored employees of the sheriff’s office, “Please don’t leave.” He urged calm and stability.
In a farewell message posted to the sheriff’s office social media accounts, Brandenburg said the timing of her retirement was “purposeful,” as it will allow candidates time to file for the Nov. 3 election.
“Until the people of Clackamas County choose their next Sheriff, the Sheriff’s Office remains with the knowledgeable and experienced executive leadership of Undersheriffs Jesse Ashby, Lee Eby and Brad O’Neil to ensure continuity of service across all divisions,” the message read. “I have designated my most senior Undersheriff, Jesse Ashby, as acting Sheriff.”
West said it was “imperative” the board act swiftly to install new leadership, saying the county needed someone not beholden to any previous sheriff.
Asked what he meant about a more independent sheriff, West told OPB the board of commissioners has not had a good working relationship with previous sheriffs.
Interim sheriff previously demoted by board chair
During the meeting, West called Rhodes the “one clear candidate” for the job. West shared with the commission a letter from the president of the union representing sworn sheriff’s office employees advocating for the appointment of Rhodes.
Roberts’ vote against the appointment is perhaps unsurprising given he demoted Rhodes in 2019. Roberts demoted Rhodes from chief deputy to captain without providing a reason, according to findings from a 2022 lawsuit brought by a former sheriff’s office captain against the agency. The demotion is also reflected in Rhodes’ employment records from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.
Roberts was not immediately available Tuesday for comment on this decision.
In addition to his 28 years in law enforcement (including 25 years with Clackamas County), West said Rhodes also served the county through its budget committee and vector control committee.
Roberts said if the board was going to make an appointment, rather than allowing Ashby to continue to serve as acting sheriff, he would prefer a process to solicit candidates and gather feedback from the public.
Roberts mentioned hearing of current leaders within the office who are also interested in serving as sheriff, including Undersheriff Brad O’Neil and Capt. Marcus Mendoza, saying it was incumbent upon the board to evaluate everyone interested in the position.
“The sheriff is elected by the people,” Roberts said.
Commissioner Diana Helm — who was appointed to her seat in the spring of 2025 — said her own appointment process was lengthy and cumbersome. But she said that’s why she was okay with moving forward with Rhodes’ appointment immediately.
“Action needs to be taken sooner rather than later,” Helm said.
Savas said it was significant that Rhodes was endorsed by the Clackamas County Peace Officers Association president.
The full slate of sheriff candidates for the November election won’t be known for several weeks. The candidate filing period for the sheriff’s position doesn’t open until Aug. 3 and closes Aug. 25.
A Clackamas County Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle.
SoulRider.222 / Flickr (Creative Commons license)
