The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors approved the reinstatement of the Undersheriff position to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office effective January 15, 2011.

Sheriff John D’Agostini has announced his selection of Yolo County Sheriff’s Captain Rich Williams for the position of Undersheriff. As Undersheriff, Williams will become the Sheriff’s Office’s second in command. Sheriff D’Agostini said “As part of my strategic plan to improve effectiveness and efficiency, this appointment will be revenue neutral.” Captain Williams, a 25-year law enforcement veteran, is currently the Commander of the Yolo County Sheriff’s Administrative Division.

Sheriff D’Agostini said, “I have known Rich Williams for over 25 years – he is an effective law enforcement manager whose knowledge, training, and experience will be an asset to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. I am proud to appoint him as my Undersheriff.”

Captain Rich Williams said “I am truly honored to be entering such a well respected organization and look forward to working closely with the men and women of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s employees have an outstanding reputation in the law enforcement community, and I am pleased to join their team. We are facing tough economic times, however, I am certain we will continue to provide the highest level of law enforcement for the citizens of El Dorado County”

Sheriff D’Agostini spoke about his search for an Undersheriff. “For the last two years I have campaigned hard, meeting the great people of this county. During that time I have thought long and hard about finding and recruiting the right person as my Undersheriff, someone who shares my leadership and management vision for the future. Nothing at this point in my position as Sheriff is more important than selecting the best person for this job.

“During the process of considering the Undersheriff position, Captain Williams was on my short list but I did further research because Captain Williams is my brother-in-law, my wife Janine is Captain Williams’ sister. After considering all candidates and reviewing county policy and state law, I made the decision to select Captain Williams due to his training, administrative experience, qualifications and trust.

Captain Rich Williams joined the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department in 1985 as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff after completing 3 years of service in the United States Army. He became a full time Deputy in 1986 and was hired by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. He returned to the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department in 1988 and worked a range of assignments including Courthouse Security, Bailiff, Transportation, Detention, Patrol, Field Training Officer, Detective, and as a Resident Deputy for the town of Knight’s Landing.

Rich promoted to Sergeant in 1997, and supervised many units including Patrol, Administration, Training, and Detectives, and served as the Press Information Officer. He promoted to Lieutenant in 2005 and was assigned to the Detention Division managing the Records, Courthouse Security, and Transportation Sections. In April 2007 Rich was promoted to the rank of Captain.

Rich has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and is a graduate of the 210th session of the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Rich lives in El Dorado County with his wife Susan. He has two sons, Anthony and Russell, a daughter, Madeleine, son-in-law David, and a grand-daughter, Elizabeth.