Sheriff Larry Blanton

Deschutes County Sheriff Larry Blanton has been in law enforcement in Oregon for more than 30 years. Most recently, he served as Undersheriff of Deschutes County. As Sheriff of Deschutes County, Larry is a member of the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association Executive Committee, Oregon HIDTA Board (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area), and Board of Directors of Central Oregon Kids Center, as well as the Oregon Accreditation Alliance Board.

In addition to his dynamic involvement and commitment to the people of his community, Larry also works to protect local animals. In December 2010 the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office was awarded a $3,900 grant from the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF). The money will be used by Sheriff Blanton and Lt. Shane Nelson to maintain the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office 23 acre Livestock Rescue & Shelter. The shelter program provides care for neglected, abused and abandoned livestock who are seized during investigations. Lt. Nelson explains, "The sheriff’s office will respond to all reported animal abuse complaints and conduct an on-site investigation. If we find that the owners have fallen on hard economic times, we will connect them with agencies that can help provide food and care for the animals." Larry and the Sheriff’s Office are committed to ensuring that all animals are treated humanely and are being provided care that is in accordance with the Minimum Care Standard. Scott Heiser, the Director of ALDF’s Criminal Justice Program, toured the Livestock Rescue & Shelter and expressed his support for the model saying, “It is unprecedented for a county sheriff to operate an animal rescue and manage the care of animals seized in criminal cruelty cases.”

Larry and his wife of 34 years have lived in Bend all their lives. They have two sons, Chad, a fireman paramedic for the City of Portland, and Shawn, a driver for Central Petroleum of Bend.