About More
Benton County Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall
As Benton County’s Sheriff, I embrace our office’s mission: “We provide professional public safety services with integrity and accountability.” We deliver high-quality law enforcement to everyone who lives in, or visits, beautiful Benton County, Oregon.
I am proud of the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office and the dedicated work they do on your behalf. We stay grounded in our core values of Duty, Honor, and Courage.
Serving the Benton County community is my absolute pleasure, and leading this organization is a genuine honor. I commit to providing the best service possible in the years ahead. Together, we can keep Benton County a safe place to live, work, and raise our families. Thank you for your trust and support.
Background
The Benton County Board of Commissioners unanimously appointed Jef Van Arsdall as Sheriff on March 15, 2021. Voters then elected him Sheriff of Benton County on November 8, 2022.
Sheriff Van Arsdall grew up on the Oregon coast and graduated from Seaside High School in 1990. He earned a B.S. in Administration of Justice from Portland State University in 1995 and moved to Corvallis upon graduation. He and his wife, Raeann (OSU Class of ‘96), have been married for over 30 years and have two children.
Career History
Sheriff Van Arsdall has served in law enforcement since 1996. He launched his career as a Reserve Deputy with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Hillsboro, Oregon.
In 1997, the Corvallis Police Department hired him. Over 18 years with CPD, he advanced through several roles: Patrol Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Administrative Sergeant, and Lieutenant. He also served as a Reserve Training Officer, Field Training Officer, Police Training Officer, and International Police Mountain Bike Association Instructor. Additionally, he was a Survival Skills Instructor, Downtown Corvallis Association Ex-Officio board member, OSU Athletic Department Liaison, and an active participant in the 509J Safe Routes to School Program.
Outside his official duties, he volunteered his time coaching youth at the Albany Boys and Girls Club and the Albany YMCA.
In 2017, Sheriff Van Arsdall joined the Baker County Sheriff’s Office in Baker City, Oregon. He served as Patrol Lieutenant, Dispatch Supervisor, and Parole and Probation Lieutenant before becoming Undersheriff in 2018, a role he held until his appointment as Benton County Sheriff.
Professional Certifications
Sheriff Van Arsdall has earned Executive, Management, Supervisory, Advanced, Intermediate, and Basic certifications through the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. He has also completed the Oregon Executive Development Institute and the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association Command College.
Personal Interests
In his free time, Sheriff Van Arsdall enjoys spending time with his family, coaching, being outdoors, and attending a variety of sporting events.