Benton County Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall

The Benton County Board of Commissioners unanimously appointed Jef Van Arsdall to the position of Sheriff on March 15, 2021.

Sheriff Van Arsdall was raised on the Oregon coast, graduating from Seaside High School in 1990. Sheriff Van Arsdall graduated from Portland State University in 1995 with a BS in Administration of Justice and moved to Corvallis upon graduation. He and his wife, Raeann (OSU class of 96) have two children and have been married for over 26 years.

Sheriff Van Arsdall has been in law enforcement since 1996.   He began his career as a Reserve Deputy with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Hillsboro, Oregon. In 1997, he was hired by the Corvallis Police Department. While with the Corvallis Police Department, Sheriff Van Arsdall worked as a Patrol Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Administrative Sergeant and Lieutenant. During his 18 years with the Corvallis Police Department, Sheriff Van Arsdall worked as a Reserve Training Officer, Field Training Officer, Police Training Officer, International Police Mountain Bike Association Instructor, Survival Skills Instructor, Downtown Corvallis Association Ex-Officio board member, OSU Athletic Department Liaison and was active with the 509J Safe Routes to School Program.

When Sheriff Van Arsdall wasn’t wearing his official Corvallis Police hat, he could be found coaching youth and volunteering his time at the Albany Boys and Girls Club and the Albany YMCA.

In 2017, Sheriff Van Arsdall was hired by the Baker County Sheriff’s Office in Baker City, Oregon. In his time with the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Van Arsdall worked as a Patrol Lieutenant, Dispatch Supervisor, Parole and Probation Lieutenant and, ultimately, Undersheriff. He held the position of Undersheriff from 2018 until his appointment as Benton County Sheriff.

Sheriff Van Arsdall has earned his Executive, Management, Supervisory, Advanced, Intermediate and Basic certifications through the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. Additionally, Sheriff Van Arsdall has attended the Oregon Executive Development Institute and the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association Command College.

In his free time, Sheriff Van Arsdall enjoys spending time with his family, coaching, being outdoors and attending a variety of sporting events.