With nine days until Jefferson County voters cast their primary ballots, the race for sheriff has taken a serious turn: challenger Tyler Anderson is on the Brady List and faces a state review of his law enforcement certifications scheduled for May 21 — two days after the election.
Anderson, a former Jefferson County Sheriff's Office deputy, was fired in April 2025 following an investigation that concluded with findings of "untruthfulness," according to a letter from acting Jefferson County District Attorney Steven Leriche. The DA added Anderson to the Brady List in July 2025, which means prosecutors cannot ethically call him to testify in criminal cases.
What the Brady List Means
Being placed on the Brady List is a significant mark against any law enforcement officer. It stems from the U.S. Supreme Court case Brady v. Maryland, which requires prosecutors to disclose any information that could impeach an officer's credibility. Officers on the list are essentially unusable as witnesses in criminal prosecutions.
The DA's letter cited findings of dishonesty from three separate agencies: the Parma, Idaho Police Department (where Anderson was terminated in 2004), the Oregon State Police, and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. The letter also noted Anderson failed to disclose his prior Idaho law enforcement employment — and termination — on applications for both the Madras Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
Certification on the Line
The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) has scheduled a review of Anderson's certifications for May 21. In Oregon, a sheriff must hold a valid law enforcement certification or obtain recertification within one year of taking office.
Anderson told The Bend Bulletin he is "very confident" he and his attorneys can preserve his certifications. He also suggested that if they were revoked, his planned undersheriff could serve in the interim.
"And my undersheriff I plan on bringing is probably the best choice for sheriff in Jefferson County," Anderson said. "If something does happen he can take over the meantime while I'm fighting the certifications."
Anderson's Defense
Anderson has maintained that the allegations predate his law enforcement career and involve conduct from when he was 19 or 21 years old. He drew a distinction between his situation and that of former Deschutes County Sheriff Kent Vanderkamp, who was also placed on the Brady List — for giving false testimony in criminal cases — and subsequently resigned.
"I've never lied on the stand, I've never lied in police reports," Anderson said. "I've never treated the public disrespectfully."
He also expressed hope that a new district attorney would remove him from the list: "as soon as we get a new DA in there."
Incumbent Pollock Continues Campaign
Incumbent Sheriff Jason Pollock has served as Jefferson County's top law enforcement officer since 2022. He has not publicly commented on Anderson's certification issues.
Ballots for the May 19 primary are already in voters' hands. Registered Jefferson County voters who have not yet returned their ballot can drop it at the Jefferson County Clerk's office. The county clerk's office will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.