Embattled Sheriff Dan Staton Stepping Aside

Embattled Multnomah County Sheriff Dan Staton is stepping aside.

He informed the Multnomah County Commission by email Friday morning that he would step aside in August.

Staton sent an email to employees of his office on Friday as well.

"I have been thinking about all of the employees here at the Sheriff's Office and everything that has transpired over the past months. You truly are the finest... I can no longer subject any of you to the challenges that I am facing," he wrote.

Staton's last day will be August 16th.

Multnomah County Commission Chairwoman Deborah Kafoury said that while "the issues have been a recurring distraction," she is "looking forward not back. I want to reassure people who live here and visit, that Multnomah County is committed to their safety and protection."

The sheriff will be replaced by former Portland Police Chief Mike Reese.

Staton will hire Reese as Undersheriff starting June 20th.

"We will begin the process of acclimating him to the Sheriff's Office operations," Staton wrote.

"This will include transitioning the budget and those responsibilities associated to the position and rank he will hold as the Sheriff's interim designee."

Staton has been buffeted by controversy in recent months.

Three unions have asked for his resignation.

He has been the subject of a criminal investigation - of which he was cleared - and is currently the subject of an administrative probe.

Earlier this week, Willamette Week broke the story that two of Staton's chief deputies had said they would cooperate with the probe but were afraid he would retaliate against them.