Sean C. Morgan
Undersheriff Jim Yon will be sworn in as sheriff Friday morning, June 1, in the Linn County Courthouse.
The Linn County Board of Commissioners appointed Yon May 24 to succeed Bruce Riley who retires Friday.
Yon has been a resident of Sweet Home since 2006. His wife, Angie, has been a teacher at Foster Elementary School for 23 years. She is teaching sixth grade this year. They have two children, Lauren, 18, and Ryan, 21.
When people ask him why he lives in Sweet Home, he tells them, “You have no idea how fantastic it is up there. I love it up there. We love it.”
The Yons have been heavily involved in the Sweet Home Swim Club, and their daughter earlier this year signed a letter of intent to swim for Oregon State University.
Yon, 47, will mark his 25th anniversary with the Linn County Sheriff’s Office in September. He worked in the patrol and detectives divisions most of his career. He spent two years as captain and head of the Support Division, which includes evidence management, 9-1-1 dispatch and information technology, before a promotion to undersheriff in January 2014 following the retirement of Sheriff Tim Mueller and Riley’s appointment to sheriff.
Yon was the sole candidate for Linn County Sheriff in the May 15 election. As the sole candidate, his name did not appear on the ballot. He moves to the general election as an uncontested candidate. Winning the election, his elected term will begin Jan. 1.
Yon grew up in Albany. He studied law enforcement at Western Oregon University, graduating in 1993. LCSO hired him in September 1993.
“I’m a people person,” Yon said. “I love talking to people.”
That’s something he said he’ll miss doing as he takes on the sheriff’s administrative duties, but that’s at the heart of his philosophy as a law enforcement officer and as sheriff.
“When you’re young, you think you’re going to change the world,” Yon said, but really, making a difference for individuals is worth it. That’s what he said he will ask of his staff: Whether it’s for a co-worker or a member of the public, “just make a difference somewhere.”
Yon said he entered law enforcement and continued to make it his career for one main reason.
“It’s just corny as corny can be,” Yon said. “I grew up with a blessed life. I always liked helping people and giving back. I just wanted to help those who aren’t as lucky as I was.”
Family and friends exposed him to law enforcement, he said. His wife is a Burright, among whom are a retired Linn County Sheriff and state trooper.
“I was hooked,” Yon said.
State statute outlines the role of sheriffs – to keep the peace, he said. “That’s what we’re here to do.”
That means getting to know the people around the county, the people who own the hardware stores or deliver papers, “being involved in the community,” he said. That helps deputies when someone reports a theft or burglary. Deputies know who people are, and it helps them gather information.
Sweet Home and Lebanon police departments work that way, Yon said. “Our office is getting bigger and bigger as time goes on, and we fight every day to keep that small department feel to the public.
“I could go to Portland, could go up there and make a lot more money. That’s not what does it for me.”
In Linn County’s small towns and communities, he can go out on a call, and the next day, at the store, he’ll see the families he helped, thanking him for helping.
“That’s what it’s about,” he said.
Yon praised Riley’s service as sheriff.
“I’m going to miss my friend,” Yon said. They’ve worked closely together for years. He was riding with Riley the first time he made an arrest for driving under the influence.
“He’s been a good mentor, and he’s chewed on me when I needed it.”
Their children are in the same age range, and they share similar interests, Yon said. “I’m going to miss him. We’re close friends more than anything else.”
The Riley family will remain connected in a coincidental bit of numbers fun. Riley’s son starts with LCSO on June 1 too. Riley joined LCSO on June 1, 1987. His daughter started at the district attorney’s office on June 1 too.
“I’m just really excited,” Yon said about his new position. “It’s just going to be an absolute honor to be able to do it.”