Press Release: New Enforcement Operations Chief Deputy Sworn In at Monterey County Sheriff's Office
DATE/TIME: 07/10/25 at 8:30 AM
TYPE OF INCIDENT: Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Welcomes New Enforcement Operations Bureau Chief Deputy Eric Bixler
LOCATION: Monterey County Sheriff’s Office 1414 Natividad Road, Salinas, CA 93906
MEDIA CONTACT: Andres Rosas, Commander; Phone: 831-261-5492; Email: rosasae@countyofmonterey.gov
On Tuesday, July 8th, 2025, Monterey County Sheriff Tina M. Nieto held an informal Swearing-In Ceremony to welcome newly hired Enforcement Operations Bureau Chief Deputy Eric Bixler.
Chief Deputy Eric Bixler has dedicated his life to public service for over 35 years. Eric has served as an Emergency Medical Technician and a member of the United States Army. Eric earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of California, Los Angeles. He also holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Western States University College of Law. During law school, he clerked at the Orange County Public Defender’s Office. During his service with the United States Army, he received Platoon Guide of the Cycle for the entire Fort Jackson.
Eric started his law enforcement career with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in 1996 and rose to the rank of Lieutenant II. While with LAPD, Eric has been a federally sworn Task Force Officer with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). He has worked numerous assignments during his tenure including patrol, gangs, narcotics, crime analysis, Civil Rights Integrity, Transnational Organized Crime, firearms trafficking and importing, RICO, Homicide Conspiracies and Interpol. During his time working narcotics, he was the top instructor for the California Narcotics Officers’ Association and won the CNOA award for Narcotics Officer of the Year for all of Southern California as well as several medals for actions as an LAPD officer.
His last assignment was as the Officer in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Transnational Organized Crimes Task Force, Federal Bureau Investigation’s Metropolitan Task Force and Violent Gangs with Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Marshals Apprehension Task Force and the United States Marshals Foreign Prosecution Liaison Unit, Interpol. He was also responsible for the tactical and firearms training for the Los Angeles Police Department’s Gang and Narcotics Division.
Sheriff Tina M. Nieto stated, “Chief Bixler contributes extensive experience and is a significant asset to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office. You will often see Chief Bixler out in the field supporting our team of deputies and being actively involved with the community.”
Chief Deputy Bixler stated, “I’ve always believed in enjoying the work you do for the community. I look forward to coming to work every day. I am also excited to bring my K9 partner Zuko to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office. It has been a pleasure getting acquainted with the area and I am proud to join this team. It’s an honor to serve the residents of Monterey County.”
A formal Swearing-In Ceremony, where Chief Deputy Eric Bixler will be introduced to the community, is tentatively scheduled for October 2025.