December 31, 2024 4:00 p.m.
Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin has named a new Undersheriff to serve in his administration due to the retirement of current Undersheriff Jeff Frieze.
Lieutenant Brad O’Dell was promoted to Undersheriff during a pinning ceremony on Monday. O’Dell previously served in the role of overseeing the Special Services Division.
O’Dell said, “I am honored to have the confidence of Sheriff Hanlin to serve in this new role”. O’Dell said, “I look forward to continuing to work with the leadership team, our agency partners, and our community to continue the exceptional work of the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office”.
A DCSO release said O’Dell has served the county’s public safety community for many years. He began volunteering for the Glide Rural Fire Protection District while still in high school. O’Dell then became a certified Emergency Medical Technician and worked in both paid and volunteer roles.
O’Dell was hired by DCSO in 2006 as a 911 dispatcher. Since then, he has worked as a Patrol Deputy, Detective, Corporal, Sergeant and most recently Special Services and Administrative Lieutenant.
In addition to his assigned roles, O’Dell has served as a Field Training Officer, Oregon Certified Medicolegal Death Investigator, Honor Guard Commander, Hiring Board Member, and more.
His most recent work at DCSO had him overseeing 911 Dispatch, Animal Control, Search and Rescue, Timber and Marine Patrols. He serves as the agency’s training officer, public information officer and is responsible for policy and procedure updates. O’Dell has attended over 2,500 hours of continuing education to include various leadership courses.
The release said Undersheriff O’Dell is also an Assistant Professor at Umpqua Community College where he coordinates the Police Reserve Academy.
In addition, O’Dell serves as President of the Oregon Homicide Investigators Association, a member of the Line of Duty Death Response Team for the Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation and a Board Member for the Mercy Foundation.
O’Dell holds an Associate’s of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice from Umpqua Community College, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from California Coast University.
During the pinning ceremony for family, friends and colleagues Monday, Sheriff Hanlin expressed his excitement to have O’Dell be his next Undersheriff. Hanlin said O’Dell’s experience and work ethics will help guide the agency in a positive direction in future years.