Assistant Sheriff Jayson Fowler

Jayson was born in Novato and grew up in Santa Rosa. He’s a graduate of Cardinal Newman High School and Sonoma State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology. After college, Jayson started a career in sales.

In July 2006, Jayson pursued his longtime goal and was hired as a Sonoma County Deputy Sheriff. Jayson worked as a patrol deputy at the Main Office and the Windsor Police Department. Jayson has held several collateral assignments including Field Training Officer, Use of Force Instructor, Tac Team member, Bomb Technician, and Violent Crimes Detective. As a Sergeant, Jayson worked at the Main Office, Windsor Police Department, Violent Crimes Investigations, and held the collateral assignment of Bomb Squad Commander. As a Lieutenant, Jayson worked as a Main Office Watch Commander, and as the Lieutenant overseeing the Investigations Bureau.

In February 2024, Jayson was appointed as the Assistant Sheriff of the Law Enforcement Division.

Assistant Sheriff Mike Merchen

Assistant Sheriff Mike Merchen has dedicated 23 years of service in our Detention Division as a Correctional Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain. For the past 3 years Mike has served as the Operations Captain of the Detention Division. Mike is well versed in the management and operation of all aspects of modern Detention facilities. Over the course of his career, he has experience and specialized training in detention and law enforcement operations and management including budgeting, managing staffing and personnel, labor law, negotiations and bargaining, vendor contracts, inmate classification, emergency and tactical response, crisis negotiation, inmate programs and services, detention alternatives and other related areas. Mike has established professional relationships with Sonoma County justice system partners, as well as a network of law enforcement and Correctional partners throughout the state.

Law Enforcement Field Services Captain Shawn Murphy

Shawn was born in San Francisco and raised in Daly City.  After graduating Oceana High School, he attended the College of San Mateo, working towards his degree in Administration of Justice.  In 1995, Shawn was hired as a Reserve Deputy by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.  In 1998, Shawn was promoted to the position of Correctional Officer and in 1999, promoted to the position of Deputy Sheriff.

In December of 2001, Shawn was hired by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol deputy.  During his time as a deputy, Shawn has worked various assignments at the Sheriff’s Office, including patrol deputy at the Main Office, the Guerneville Substation, and the Windsor Police Department.  He was also assigned to the Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Team, Property Crimes Detective, Violent Crimes Detective, Special Weapons and Tactics Team, Defensive Tactics Instructor, and the Underwater Dive Team.

In October 2010, Shawn was promoted to Sergeant.  As a Sergeant, Shawn worked at Main Office, the Sonoma Valley Substation, and the Windsor Police Department.  He also supervised the Property Crimes/ Narcotics Investigation Unit and the Violent Crimes Investigation Unit.  Shawn held assignments as the supervisor for the Special Weapons and Tactics Team, Firearms Program, and Off-Road Motorcycle Team.

In August of 2018, Shawn promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.  As a Lieutenant, he worked as a Watch Commander overseeing Patrol and the Special Operations Unit.  Shawn transferred to the Professional Standards Bureau, which includes Internal Affairs, use of force training and review, and liaison to the County’s Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach.

In July of 2020, Shawn promoted to Captain and now commands the Field Services Division, responsible for the Patrol Bureau, Dispatch Bureau, Court Security/ Transportation and the contract cities of Windsor and Sonoma.   

In February 2020, Shawn was the recipient of Congressman Mike Thompson’s Fifth Congressional District Public Safety Hero of the Year Award for Sonoma County, in recognition of his work during the Kincade Fire.

Law Enforcement Special Services Captain Orlando Rodriguez

Orlando Rodriguez was born in San Luís Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico. In 1972, he and his family immigrated to the United States and settled in Gridley, California, a small farming community where he was raised. After graduating high school, he attended Butte Community College, earning an A.A. in Criminal Justice and an A.S. in Behavioral Science.

Orlando began his law enforcement career in 1995 when he joined the Petaluma Police Department. While in Petaluma, he served in various roles, including the Bicycle Patrol Unit, Traffic Unit, and the Hostage Negotiations team.

In 1999, Orlando joined the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, where he held positions in the Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) Unit, Hostage Negotiations Unit, Sonoma County Narcotics Task Force, Sonoma Police Department, and the Crime Scene Investigations Unit. In September 2014, he was promoted to Sergeant and was assigned to the Sonoma Police Department, the Valley Substation, and the Personnel Bureau.

In March 2018, Orlando was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to the Main Office patrol division. In July 2018, he was appointed Chief of Police for the contract City of Sonoma.

In August 2023, Orlando was promoted to Special Services Captain, overseeing the Personnel Bureau, Professional Standards Bureau, Investigations Bureau, Court Security and Transportation Bureau.

Detention Division Special Services Captain Chad McMasters

Chad was born and raised in Healdsburg.  After graduating from Healdsburg High School, Chad attended San Diego State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration.  In October of 2002, Chad was hired by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office as a Correctional Deputy.

During his time as a Correctional Deputy, Chad worked various assignments at the Sheriff’s Office.  Chad worked at the Main Adult Detention Facility as a Male Special Module Deputy and Mental Health Deputy, served as a Background Investigator, a Defensive Tactics Instructor, and was a member of the Specialized Emergency Response Team (SERT).

In January of 2014, Chad promoted to Correctional Sergeant.  As a Sergeant, Chad worked at the Main Adult Detention Facility and the North County Detention Facility. Chad also held the assignments as a supervisor for the SERT team, the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT), the Defensive Tactics program, and the Detention Alternatives unit.

In June of 2017, Chad promoted to Correctional Lieutenant.  As a Lieutenant, Chad worked as a Watch Commander overseeing both facilities, the Mental Health units, Strategic Inmate Management, Use of Force instructors, SERT, CNT, the Classification Unit, and was the Administrative Lieutenant for Detention Special Operations.

In May of 2020, Chad promoted to Detention Captain and currently oversees the Detention Special Services Division for the Sheriff’s Office.

Detention Division Operations Captain Melissa Parmenter

Melissa was born and raised in Sonoma County and graduated from El Molino High School in 1993. Melissa attended Sonoma State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminology. Melissa joined the Air Force Reserves and served from 2000-2007.

In 2003, Melissa was hired by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office as a Correctional Deputy. As a Correctional Deputy, Melissa worked a variety of assignments to include Mental Health Deputy, Training Coordinator, Classification Deputy and Facility Training Deputy.

Melissa promoted to Correctional Sergeant in 2014. As a Sergeant in the Detention Division, Melissa primarily worked at the Main Adult Detention Facility supervising swing, grave and day shift teams. She supervised several specialty teams to include Facility Training (FTO), Use of Force and Defensive Tactics, and Detention Alternatives.

In 2020, Melissa promoted to Correctional Lieutenant. As a Lieutenant, she worked as a swing shift Watch Commander and managed several specialty teams to include Classification, Inmate Programs and Services, Detention Alternatives, Facility Training Officer Team and Use of Force and Defensive Tactics.

In January 2023, Melissa was promoted to Detention Captain and now oversees the Detention Division Operations Section of the Office’s two detention facilities.

Chief of Financial and Administrative Services Connie Newton