Linn County Undersheriff Michelle Duncan will have a new job title come January 1st.

Linn County Commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker agreed that Duncan should succeed Sheriff Jim Yon, who recently announced his retirement as of the end of the year.

Duncan, 47, will become the first female sheriff in Linn County law enforcement history, as she completes the final year of Yon’s four-year term of office.

The commissioners indicated strong support for Duncan, who has held numerous leadership posts within the Sheriff’s Office, starting as a resident deputy in Mill City for seven years.

She has also been a detective, worked narcotics, was patrol sergeant and worked with mountain patrols, was a lieutenant dealing with contract cities and was a Field Training Coordinator. In 2019, Duncan was promoted to Patrol Captain and earlier this year, she was promoted to Undersheriff.

Duncan has said previously that she and Sheriff Yon share the same command philosophy and that is teamwork is vital to success of any organization. She also believes strongly in the value of training and valuing the work of all departments within the LCSO equally.

Duncan grew up in Linn County and in California. She has a degree in criminal justice from San Jose Community College.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

She is married and has a son and a daughter. She enjoys hiking, fishing, yard and garden work and football.

The LCSO employs 190 people when at full strength and has an annual budget of about $36 million.

Commissioner Tucker said he has always been impressed with Duncan’s professionalism and dedication to the job.

He added she has succeeded at every level of command leading up to the top job.

Commissioner Sprenger agreed and said she first met Duncan at a meeting in Crabtree at which people were angry. Sprenger said Duncan truly listened to the people and cared about their issues.

Yon told the commissioners, “You will not be disappointed.”

Duncan will stand for election in 2022.

LCSO Deputy John Raymond has also filed to run for sheriff as well.

If there are only two candidates, their names will appear on the November 2022 ballot. If more than two candidates file, their names will appear on the May 2022 primary ballot.

The names of the two candidates who receive the highest number of votes will be on the November ballot. If one of the candidates receives 50% of the primary vote tally — plus one vote — that candidate would be the lone name on the November ballot.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-12-05 12:50:02

Last Update: 2021-12-05 15:48:50