Multnomah County Swears in First Female Sheriff

Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell made history Wednesday as she was sworn in as the first female Multnomah County sheriff in the agency’s 168-year history, according to the sheriff's office.

Morrisey O’Donnell was elected in May and succeeds former Sheriff Mike Reese, who could not seek reelection because of term limits.

Morrisey O’Donnell, 49, assumes leadership of 750 employees.

A ceremony was held at the Multnomah Building in Southeast Portland where Morrisey O’Donnell took her Oath of Office. More than 160 people were in attendance including Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and several county commissioners, District Attorney Mike Schmidt, public safety leaders from surrounding cities, and Sheriffs from our neighboring counties, as well as former Governor Ted Kulongoski, Oregon Supreme Court Justice Adrienne Nelson and Oregon Circuit Judge Nan Waller.

“I will lead and serve our community with compassion, pride and unwavering resolve to build stronger communities,” O’Donnell said. “Because stronger communities make everyone safer.”

O’Donnell is a native Oregonian and University of Portland Criminal Justice graduate. She started her career with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office in 1996. She is one of only two Multnomah County sheriffs to hold dual certifications in corrections and police disciplines.