The Polk County Sheriff's Office Mourns the loss of Sgt. Randy Whittaker

Polk County Oregon Official Website

On July 18, 2014 at approximately 4:10 PM, Sergeant Randy Whittaker was tragically killed in a single motor vehicle crash on Hwy 22 in West Salem.

Sergeant Whittaker has been with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Jail Division since 1998 and was promoted to Sergeant in 2002.

Sgt. Randy Whittaker had been with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for 15 years. Sheriff Bob Wolfe said "Whittaker played an important role as a sergeant at the jail."  Sergeant Whittaker has been well respected and admired by his co-workers as well as the inmates he has been responsible for at the Polk County Jail. Sergeant Whittaker has served the citizens of Polk County with Pride, Integrity, and Compassion, leaving a huge hole in our agency, including the hearts of his co-workers and of course his family and friends.

The Salem Police Department is asking witnesses and anyone with information on a vehicle of interest or its two male occupants to contact Salem Police Dispatch at (503) 588-6123. The vehicle is described as a white Dodge or Chevy three-quarter ton or one ton pickup truck with a standard or extended cab. It has an industrial-style, black flatbed and oversize tires. It appeared to be a work truck, police said.

The Sheriff's Office will miss Sgt. Whittaker and our thoughts are with his family and friends.