Lane County

Sheriff Carl Wilkerson has been a deputy with the Lane County Sheriff’s Office since 1996. Prior to being hired, he worked as a Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Explorer, a Marine Patrol Boat Aid, and as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff. As a deputy, Carl was assigned to the Corrections Division where he worked in the Security Section for about 3 ½ years. He was transferred to the Police Services Division in 2000, where he worked in the Court Security / Inmate Transport Section until he completed the Basic Police Academy and was ultimately transferred to the Main Office Patrol Section. 

Carl worked Main Office Patrol for a short time and was then transferred to the Traffic Safety Team where he primarily focused on DUII Enforcement. While assigned to the Traffic Team, he became a Drug Recognition Expert for investigating drug impaired drivers and was assigned to the joint LCSO/EPD Metro SWAT Team. He also served as a Field Training Officer. Carl was also assigned to the City of Creswell law enforcement contract.

In 2005, he was transferred to the Criminal Investigations Section as a detective. During his time in CIS, the Sheriff’s Office experienced drastic budget cuts and layoffs. For about a two-year period, Carl was one of only two detectives working for the Sheriff’s Office. Despite a staffing shortage, there were numerous high-profile cases investigated during this period which were successfully prosecuted, to include a capital punishment murder case. Carl worked the CIS assignment until 2013, when he was promoted to Sergeant. 

Carl worked as a Main Office Patrol Sergeant where he supervised deputies responding to calls of service. He was also part of the Containment Team, which later transitioned into the Special Response Team. In 2014, he was reassigned back to the Criminal Investigations Section as the Detective Sergeant and worked in this role until he was given the opportunity to work as the Police Services Division Lieutenant, first serving in an acting role until his official promotion to the Lieutenant position. Carl served as the sole Police Services Division Lieutenant managing the sergeants within the division. He also acted as the Special Response Team Assistant Team Commander. 

In 2019, Sheriff Harrold appointed Carl to the Chief Deputy position. During his tenure as the Chief Deputy, Carl supervised the Division Commanders of the Police and Corrections Divisions and was the Division Commander for the Operations Support Division. He was responsible for personnel, labor relations, budget, training, the Office of Professional Standards, the radio-network, and a variety of other tasks to include being the Incident Commander of the Emergency Operations Center during multiple wildfires including the Holiday Farm Fire. Carl actively worked to start a staff driven Health and Wellness Committee and led a group of volunteers and employees in establishing the Health and Wellness Center. 

Carl is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, Class 277. He has attended the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association Command College, the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association Sheriff’s Institute, and he holds an Executive Police Certification through the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. Carl earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Bushnell University. 

Carl has been married to his wife, Debi, since 1997 and they have three children: CJ, Jaxson, and Carley. CJ and Jaxson are both deputies with the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and Carley is starting her nursing career. Carl would not be where he is today without the loving support from his family and the many blessings God has provided.

Carl & Debi stay busy watching sports and try to find time to fish and hunt on the side. They also spend time supporting their community of Creswell, where Carl has coached and been involved in youth wrestling and where Debi currently serves as the School Board Chair. The Wilkerson family are Seattle Mariners and Seahawks fans, and travel to watch their teams play.