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MEET
YOUR
SHERIFFS

Learn more about the current 36 elected sheriffs in Oregon and the counties they serve.

Click on a county to highlighted it and see that sheriff's biography along other information.

Union County

(541) 963-1017
(541) 963-1023
1109 K Ave. La Grande, OR 97850

Sheriff Cody Bowen

Cody Bowen was born and raised in Union County, where he has lived most of his life. Cody attended La Grande and Cove school districts, and he has been a resident of the cities of La Grande, Cove, and Union. Some of his hobbies and passions include spending time outdoors camping, hunting, and fishing. In April of 1999, he met his wife, Tish. They were married in August of 2000, and they’ve been partners in crime ever since. They have three children (Caleb, Tori, and Kinzy).

Cody started his working career at Les Schwab Tire Center, where he learned/cultivated the true values of hard work and the importance of customer service. After five years of working at Les Schwab Tire Center, Cody was promoted to assistant manager. In this position, he had the privilege to manage employees and work closely with the public. Through the experience, Cody learned that leading by example is paramount and successful organizations are best built when you have compassion, respect, and care for everyone you come into contact with, no matter if it was an employee or a customer. Cody believes successful organizations, especially those that serve the citizens in a small community, are best built from the bottom up with solid foundations. The foundation of the Union County Sheriff’s Office must be rooted in the best interest of Union County citizens because it is you who makes this county great!

After spending two years as a reserve deputy, Cody applied for a full-time position as a patrol deputy with the Union County Sheriff’s Office. Cody was selected and offered a full-time job with UCSO in 2011. Cody felt in his heart this was the career intended for him. Cody discovered a passion for providing the people of Union County professional law enforcement service when citizens needed it most.

Throughout his career in law enforcement, Cody has worked in many capacities with the Sheriff’s Office. After his beginnings as a reserve patrol deputy, his responsibilities expanded as a patrol deputy to include responding to a variety of calls for service throughout the county. This allowed Cody to learn the intricacies of community policing in rural cities. It is in these rural cities he has gained firsthand experience in policing these areas. Presence alone can deter criminal activity, and it can increase livability. Cody was also able to interact with the great citizens of Union County to develop relationships that he still has and cherishes today. In the start of his law enforcement career, he was given the opportunity to be trained and certified as a D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) instructor. 

As a D.A.R.E. instructor and a school resource officer, he was able to interact with the children of Union County and bring education to them on some of the most important issues that are currently affecting our youth and community as a whole. Working in this capacity, Cody further developed a passion to help the county a better place for everyone.

Sheriff Cody Bowen was elected on January 4th, 2021. Sheriff Bowen’s vision and goals are to foster community partnerships as well as to come together to be more effective with other Union County professionals in law enforcement (EMS, fire, and human services) for the benefit of our entire community. Cody believes that Union County will have a Sheriff’s Office that is strengthened through better relationships with healthy input and interaction. Open communication with the residents is the most effective way for a sheriff to address important issues. Know that Sheriff Bowen will use his experience to place more emphasis on the youth within Union County so that our community has the brightest future. Cody understands his position should not be focused on him as an individual, but rather you the citizens and this great county as a whole. Cody would like to thank everyone that has supported him in his journey, and he looks forward to meeting/gaining the trust and support of all of you.

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