Oregon Public Broadcasting

After 34 years as a Lane County prosecutor and almost a quarter-century as the district attorney, Doug Harcleroad will leave office this week.

He's starting a new job as a lobbyist for a statewide victims' rights organization. But he says, budget cuts also played a role in his departure.

Doug Harcleroad: "When you only have two detectives in a sheriff's office the size of the state of Connecticut, you're in trouble. And public safety is in trouble here."

Harcleroad says when he started work in 1974, there were 20 detectives on staff. The same is true for prosecutors, he says. There used to be 32, now there are 22.

Harcleroad's chief deputy, Alex Gardner ran unopposed to become the new Lane County District Attorney. He will be sworn in on January 5th.