Marion County

Nicholas (Nick) Hunter was appointed as the 41st Sheriff of Marion County on June 30, 2023.

Sheriff Hunter began his law enforcement career in November of 2001 by serving in two capacities for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. He started by volunteering as a Reserve Deputy for the Enforcement Division while also working as a Facility Security Aide for the Marion County Jail.

Sheriff Hunter briefly left Marion County to serve as a reserve police officer and then full-time police officer with the Independence Police Department (IDP). During his time with IDP, he held roles as field training officer and instructor in multiple disciplines, including use of force. He finished his career with IDP by serving as a regional detective assigned to the Polk Interagency Narcotics Team (P.O.I.N.T.).

In 2008, Sheriff Hunter returned to the agency he considers his family and home, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Upon returning to the Sheriff’s Office, he soon began working as a field training officer and instructor for multiple disciplines. Sheriff Hunter earned certification as a Drug Recognition Expert, became a member of Marion County’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, and was assigned to oversee the agency’s use of force program.  

Sheriff Hunter promoted to patrol sergeant in 2012 and to lieutenant in 2015. While serving as a lieutenant, he spent time working assignments in both the Enforcement and Operations Divisions of the Sheriff’s Office, supervising and contributing to the development of multiple teams. In 2016, Sheriff Hunter was appointed to the role of Commander of Marion County SWAT after serving as a team leader since 2012. His experience includes serving as the incident commander for multiple critical incidents, to the massive fire evacuation of the Santiam Canyon in 2020.

Sheriff Hunter holds an Executive Certification from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards & Training and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Willamette University. He has a passion for education and teaching which he views as a critical component to enhancing partnerships within the community and to also further the development of Sheriff’s Office employees. Sheriff Hunter has participated as a national instructor in the field of human performance and de-escalation, while also providing expert testimony through the state courts.  

Sheriff Hunter grew up in Clackamas County before moving to Marion County in 1995 to attend Willamette University. He decided to make Marion County his home and currently resides in the City of Sublimity with his wife and two children.