Interim Deschutes County Sheriff Candidate List

Five candidates officially applied for and met the July 11 deadline for the position of interim Deschutes County Sheriff. The applicants include Deputy Chief of Bend Police Paul Kansky, DCSO Detective Lieutenant James McLaughlin, former DCSO Captain Deron McMaster, DCSO Detective and Special Services Commander Ty Rupert and current DCSO Undersheriff Aaron Wells. Applicants filed letters of interest, now posted on the Deschutes County website.

Kansky has been with the Bend Police Department for more than 25 years and in law enforcement for 32 years. In his letter he cites his ability to bring people together as well as his experience working in a positive, forward-thinking environment. At Bend Police, he led the development of the Community Enhancement Program. He says he would be a neutral, unbiased leader at the Sheriff’s Office. “I will focus on empowering the exceptional members of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office — who are the heart and soul of this agency — to achieve new levels of success,” Kansky writes in his letter of interest.

McLaughlin cites his 18 years with the Sheriff’s Office, outlining the various roles he’s held. In his letter, he states his commitment to leading with integrity and restoring trust, fostering a partnership with the public, being transparent and intent in expanding the Digital Forensic and Crimes Against Children units. “I am committed to creating a culture of belonging where every team member is empowered and valued,” McLaughlin wrote.

McMaster was with the Sheriff’s Office for more than 28 years. In his letter, he outlines his experience with the department in various roles including his position as Corrections Division Commander where he managed inmates and complex legal issues as well as his involvement with two capital projects with the Sheriff’s Office campus. He addresses the agency’s budget challenges and the need to improve morale. “The Sheriff’s Office does not just belong to the Sheriff; it belongs to all its employees. My goal is to bring that esprit de corps back to the Sheriff’s Office,” McMaster states.

Rupert’s letter addresses how he would restore morale, staffing needs, foster community engagement, cultivate a transparent leadership and ensure fiscal responsibility. He refers to his past military service and 15 years in the private sector managing a multi-million-dollar budget. He joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2005. “We are fortunate to have dedicated, resilient employees who continue to show up for our community every day. It is on their behalf — and in service to the public — that I feel compelled to step forward,” Rupert writes.

In his application letter, Wells explains how his experience with the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team, as a detective and now serving as Undersheriff has helped form his leadership skills. He cites his experience negotiating union contracts, presiding over the process for internal investigations, mentoring captains and lieutenants and working with city and county leaders. “I have built and maintained good relationships with the Deschutes County DA and the [chiefs and sheriffs] in the Tri-County region. The team at the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office deserves a leader who will lead with transparency, is well respected in the region and has integrity. I humbly believe I am that leader,” Wells writes.

Current Sheriff Kent van der Kamp is stepping down on July 31amid a storm of controversy after the Deschutes County DA put him on the Brady List of allegedly dishonest law enforcement officers.

The next steps will be decided by the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners. It’s unclear if they will interview candidates in public or privately. The Commission has a meeting scheduled for July 29 at 9am. The agenda is not listed, but Deschutes County Public Information Officer Kim Katchur says it’s not a regularly scheduled meeting and likely added to address the candidates. The interim sheriff will serve until the 2026 election cycle.

This article appears in Source Weekly July 10, 2025.