Tanksley announces sheriff’s office leadership

Sheriff-elect Donnell Tanksley has announced who will head the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office under his leadership.

In a December 8 news release, Tanksley wrote that he assigned Steve Harris as undersheriff.

Harris’ most recent experience was as a field training officer and a part of the marine patrol. He has worked as a lead detective for major crimes against persons and financial crimes, and oversaw checks on 500 registered sex offenders in Whatcom County. Harris also spent 14 years as president of the Whatcom County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild.

Erik Francis will be promoted from detective to chief civil deputy/chief of investigations and support services. Francis has spent the past 11 years as a detective for homicides, sexual assaults and crimes against children. He has served as a detective on the Northwest Regional Drug Task Force, was on the SWAT Team for a decade and worked with federal agencies on criminal border control cases.

Jason Gum will stay in his position overseeing field operations as chief criminal deputy/chief of field services.

Rodger Funk, previously chief deputy of investigations and support services, has been assigned as chief inspector/office of professional standards.

Caleb Erickson will remain overseeing Whatcom County’s corrections facilities as chief corrections deputy.

Holly Woll-Salkeld, emergency management program specialist, will serve as interim deputy director of emergency management following the retirement of director John Gargett.

Tanksley won Whatcom County Sheriff by 52 percent of the vote during the November general election. He served in the U.S. military for 21 years and has spent the past 4.5 years as chief of police at the Blaine Police Department.