Behind the Badge: Inside the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office
BEND Ore. (KTVZ) - The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has been in the headlines in recent years, but what most people don’t see is the work happening behind the scenes.
Inside the Sheriff’s Office in Bend, a team of people is keeping the county running smoothly, from patrol deputies and detectives to finance specialists and forensic analysts.
“We keep the lights on, the water running — pretty much anything on the financial side you can think of,” said Bitsy Mirror. “That’s what we take care of.”
After a period of leadership changes and internal challenges, staff say the office is now on stable ground. “I feel like we’re smooth sailing now,” Mirror added. “There’s been a lot of commotion, but it feels good to be in a solid place.”
Captain Brian Husband, who oversees detectives, special services, and IT, says what sets Deschutes County apart is its balance of size and opportunity. “It’s a perfect blend,” Husband said. “We’re not so big that people get lost in the mix, but there’s enough room for growth and special assignments. The hardest part is helping people on their worst days — but that’s also the most rewarding.”
From the digital forensics team to search and rescue crews, every role plays a part in public safety. “We take in devices like cell phones and laptops and extract the data for investigations,” said Pat Hartley. “K9 Cash helps us find hidden devices in sensitive cases, like child exploitation or human trafficking.”
Lieutenant Jay Minton says that teamwork begins before dawn. “We’ll brief for about 45 minutes to an hour before heading out into the field,” Minton explained. “The most rewarding part of my job is making sure deputies have what they need to do the hard work out there.”
And in a county known for its rugged terrain, that work extends to the mountains. “If we need to reach an injured skier or snowmobiler, we have the equipment to get people safely off the mountain,” said Shane Zook with Search and Rescue. “We’re very fortunate to have a well-equipped team.”
For many, what makes the Sheriff’s Office truly special is the people who fill its halls. “It feels like a giant family, regardless of your rank,” said Samantha Albert. “That’s a special feeling.”
From emergency calls to financial operations, every person plays a part in keeping Deschutes County safe — and it’s that shared sense of purpose that keeps the agency moving forward.
