John Whetsel has served as Sheriff of Oklahoma County since 1997. The Whetsel family includes wife Mitzi (Zielny), daughters Jonna Whetsel and Stacy Moore, son-in-law Brock Moore, and granddaughter Kailey Moore, and grandson Bailey Moore. John and his wife Mitzi live in Choctaw and attend St. John's Church in Edmond. Sheriff Whetsel began his law enforcement career in 1967, joined the Choctaw Police Department in 1973 and served as Choctaw Chief of Police for 21 years before being elected Sheriff. Sheriff Whetsel began his second term in 2001.

Sheriff Whetsel is a graduate of Midwest City High School, has earned an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate, is a state certified police instructor, has earned as Associate degree in Police Science from Southwestern College, a Bachelor degree in Government and Sociology from the University of Central Oklahoma, and has Master’s studies in Criminal Justice.

Sheriff Whetsel has authored many articles on law enforcement articles,  has been a guest on the Phil Donahue Show, Larry King Live, Dateline, NBC Nightly News, Hard Copy, Front Page, America’s Most Wanted and You Be The Judge,  is a nationally recognized authority on police pursuits,  and has testified before Congressional committees and legislative hearings.

Sheriff Whetsel serves on the National Executive Committee of the Boy Scouts of America Law Enforcement Explorers, the Oklahoma Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence, chairs the Oklahoma Masonic Law Enforcement Recognition Committee, and serves on several community advisory boards.

Sheriff Whetsel is a past president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Oklahoma Sheriff and Peace Officers Association. Sheriff Whetsel is a member of the Oklahoma Sheriff's Association, the National Sheriff's Association, and is a cofounder of the Major County Sheriff's Association.

Sheriff Whetsel has been the recipient of many honors, including the La Societe des 40 Hommes at 8 Chevaus (40 & 8) 2001 Oklahoma Grand Law Officer of the Year, Oklahoma Rifle Association 1998 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, the Oklahoma Highway Safety Officer Top Cop award, a U.S. Jaycees Outstanding Young Man of America, and the First Grade Hwa-Shin Medal awarded by the National Police Administration of the Republic of China, Taiwan.

PRIDE...In Who We Are...

PROFESSIONAL...In What We Do !