Marion County Gets New Sheriff

Prior to working for Salem, Isham worked for the Marion County Sheriff's Office which he will now rejoin.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Marion County Board of Commissioners has hired a Salem Police Lieutenant as the new County Sheriff. Russ Isham will replace Raul Ramirez as the head of the local Sheriff's Office, based on a decision made Wednesday.

Raul Ramirez Photo: Tim King

He was one of two men in the running for the position. Marion County Undersheriff Greg Olsen who has many years of experience with Marion County was the other top choice.

Russ Isham has been very active with Salem Police since he was hired in 1999, having large roles in projects like the Drug Activity Response Team and Salem's Community Response Team. He was promoted to Lieutenant earlier this year.

Prior to working for Salem, Isham worked for the Marion County Sheriff's Office which he will now rejoin. His brother is an officer with Keizer Police.

Isham will fill the boots of Sheriff Raul Ramirez who will be remembered for many achievements during his time as sheriff. He has been ill in recent months, prompting his announcement to retire.

The Sheriff's Office oversees the operations of county deputies and also operates and maintains the county jail facility. Sheriff's deputies also work in Marion County courts.

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Anonymous February 15, 2008 9:12 am (Pacific time)

Anybody but Isham. That would be a bad vote in May. Help get out the word. Vote Olsen for Sheriff

Anonymous February 15, 2008 9:11 am (Pacific time)

Vote for Greg Olsen-Far more Experienced and a man of much better moral character.

Anonymous September 19, 2007 7:59 pm (Pacific time)

Isham was a loser and a cry baby while employed with the Sheriff's Office.

Anonymous September 6, 2007 10:59 pm (Pacific time)

Good luck Russ! You're going to make a great Sheriff, hope you'll stay a while. Go get em!

Happy at Salem PD September 6, 2007 8:53 pm (Pacific time)

I have heard there are a lot of happy people at Salem PD now. Is MCSO getting what they really want?

Anonymous September 6, 2007 12:12 pm (Pacific time)

am sure thy are bad and good cop's out their! if its the city,state,or marion county sheff. mcso!

Curmudgeon September 6, 2007 11:47 am (Pacific time)

I'm sure Isham left for the same reason so many others left and went to Salem PD. From a department with low morale to one with high morale.

Anonymous September 6, 2007 9:18 am (Pacific time)

people come .....people go.....but why did Isham leave in the 1st place? then run for the job!is it the money.....better benf.

Do we vote? September 6, 2007 9:11 am (Pacific time)

As the Sheriff is an elected position, does this make Russ an "interim" Sheriff until the natural end of the term?

Steve September 6, 2007 9:10 am (Pacific time)

why not in the family! and olsen was....its like he grew up their and had lots of exp.

Friend of Russ September 6, 2007 9:05 am (Pacific time)

Russ is a helluva nice guy and I think he will do a good job administering the duties of Marion County Sheriff. Greg would have been fantastic for the job also, glad they were faced with good choices.

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