California Patriot Profile: Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes
Champion of Public Safety and Defender of Individual Liberties
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⏰ 4.5 minute read
A Steadfast Leader in California Law Enforcement
Don Barnes, the long-serving Sheriff-Coroner of Orange County, has dedicated over three decades to law enforcement, rising through every leadership rank to lead one of California’s largest sheriff’s departments. Elected in 2018, Barnes has focused on enhancing community safety, fiscal responsibility, and individual liberties. He oversees approximately 4,000 personnel—rising through the ranks from deputy in 1989 to sergeant in 2001, then Lieutenant, Captain, Commander, Assistant Sheriff, and Undersheriff before running for and being elected Sheriff.
Early Career & A Shared Mission
One of my earliest memories of Don Barnes dates back to 2002 during the tragic search for five-year-old Samantha Runnion, abducted from her Stanton home. As deputy media relations lead, I was present at the Incident Command Center during those tense days. Then-Sergeant Barnes was part of the department’s response at the command center, and his level-headed leadership and dedication to justice, even in heartbreaking circumstances, showcased his commitment to protecting the community and was a stark reminder of the human cost of law enforcement.
A Leadership Built on Results and Restraint
After serving as Undersheriff—guiding operational improvements in jails and technology—Barnes became Sheriff, continuing his focus on keeping government limited and services effective. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he made clear that his department would not serve as an arm of heavy-handed government mandates. Famously declaring, “We are not the mask police,” he emphasized education and voluntary compliance while reserving enforcement for only the most egregious cases. By refusing to dispatch deputies to enforce stay-at-home or gathering orders, Barnes protected constitutional freedoms at a time when many Californians felt their liberties were under siege, proving that safety and freedom can work together when leaders exercise restraint.
National Leadership & Intelligence Coordination
Barnes’s leadership extends beyond county lines. He served as chairman of the Major County Sheriffs of America’s Intelligence Commanders Committee and now serves as the association’s Vice President for Homeland Security. In those roles, he has testified before Congress, giving him a national platform to advocate for public safety and stronger law enforcement cooperation.
Advancing Public Safety With Prudence
Barnes has driven initiatives tackling crime, school safety, and narcotics trafficking with fiscal discipline. He championed the County of Orange Integrated Services Plan, a coordinated effort addressing homelessness, addiction, and mental wellness—brought to the attention of the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement, where Barnes spoke about it in detail.
Creating a Legacy In The Community
He also has a strong track record in Orange County of supporting conservative candidates and leaders who share his commitment to limited government, fiscal responsibility, and individual liberties. From backing like-minded sheriffs such as Riverside County’s Chad Bianco to supporting local conservative officeholders, Barnes has consistently backed those working to advance constitutional principles.
So, Does It Matter?
In an era where government overreach can erode trust, Don Barnes stands out as a leader who pairs safety with liberty. His steady approach during COVID-19 showed restraint when others demanded mandates, preserving respect for personal choice. But his impact goes further. By backing conservative candidates and aligning himself with leaders committed to constitutional principles, Barnes has helped shape the political direction of Orange County. His record demonstrates that principled law enforcement can strengthen both community safety and the broader cause of limited government. Leadership rooted in conviction matters—locally, across California, and on the national stage.
Sheriff Barnes Profiled By Major County Sheriffs of America…
Each week we profile a California conservative. Previous profiles have been of the late Andrew Breitbart, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, Congressman Kevin Kiley, talk radio hosts Dennis Prager and John Kobylt, HJTA President Jon Coupal, actors James Woods, Kelsey Grammer and Gary Sinise, Thomas Sowell, Julie Hamill, Dr. Charles Kesler, Federal Judge Roger Benitez and Victor Davis Hansen. You can go here to see them all! If you have an idea for a patriot to profile, let me know!
FOMO? The history of Sheriff’s, coming from England, is pretty interesting. It’s below the fold…
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