John Whetsel has served as Sheriff of Oklahoma County since 1997. He began his law enforcement career in 1967, joined the Choctaw Police Department in 1973 and served as Choctaw’s Chief of Police for 21 years before being elected sheriff. He began his second term in 2001.

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

His education background includes master’s studies in criminal justice, a bachelor’s degree in government and sociology, and an associate degree in police science. Sheriff Whetsel holds an Advanced Law Certificate and is a state certified police instructor. He is a graduate of Midwest City High School.

Sheriff Whetsel serves on the Boy Scouts Law Enforcement Explorers National Executive Committee, National Homeland Security Training Center Advisory Board, U.S. Attorney’s Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council, Oklahoma Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence, Oklahoma Drug and Violent Crime Grant Board, several community advisory boards and is a member of the Character Council of Central Oklahoma. He has served on the National Homeland Security Task Force of the National Association of Counties and the Oklahoma Masonic Law Enforcement Recognition Committee.

The Sheriff is a past president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Oklahoma Sheriff and Peace Officers Association. A member of the National Sheriff’s Association (NSA), he serves as chairman of the NSA Victim Services Committee and co-chairman of the NSA Traffic Safety Committee. He is a co-founder of the Major County Sheriff’s Association and serves on the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association Board of Directors.

Among the many honors received by Sheriff Whetsel are the University of Central Oklahoma 2003 Distinguished Former Student, La Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux (The Society of 40 Men and 8 Horses) 2001 Oklahoma Grand Law Officer of the Year, Oklahoma Highway Safety Office 2000 Top Cop Award, 1998 Oklahoma Rifle Association Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, 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.

Sheriff Whetsel and his wife, Mitzi, live in Choctaw and attend St. John’s Church in Edmond. The family includes two daughters, Jonna Whetsel and Stacy Moore, son-in-law Brock Moore, and two grandchildren, Kailey and Bailey.