January 8, 2021 3:35 a.m.

Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin is poised to become the longest serving sheriff in Douglas County history.

Sergeant Brad O’Dell said Hanlin was sworn into office for his fourth term on Monday.

O’Dell said Hanlin was first elected to office in 2008, after previously elected Sheriff, Chris Brown, accepted a position with another agency. He assumed office in January of 2009 as the county’s 48th sheriff. Hanlin was re-elected in 2012, 2016 and again in 2020.

Retired Sheriff Ira Byrd currently holds the honor of being the longest serving sheriff. He was initially appointed in 1955 and was later elected two more times. He retired after serving for 12 years and 6 months from April of 1955 through October of 1967. Retired Sheriff John Pardon also served for 12 years from January 1989 until he retired in January of 2001. Hanlin was hired as a deputy under Sheriff’s Pardon’s administration.

Hanlin was born and raised in the Roseburg area, graduating from Glide High in 1980. He worked as a Forest Officer for the Douglas Forest Protective Association before being hired by DCSO.