Marion County Sheriff Nick Hunter sat in front of a panel of Oregon state lawmakers near the start of the 2026 legislative session. He wore a black uniform, a gold star-shaped badge pinned to his chest and “N. Hunter” name tag embroidered in all capital letters across the front.
State Rep. Willy Chotzen, a Portland Democrat, fired off a question that is on the minds of many Americans.
“In your law enforcement experience, do you feel like our community would be safer if all levels of law enforcement of all types were following that same type of policy (having clearly identifiable officers) that Marion County sheriffs follow?” Chotzen asked Hunter…