Eric Palmberg named El Dorado County sheriff following public debate over appointment

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to appoint Undersheriff Eric Palmberg to succeed Sheriff Jeff Leikauf, who is retiring in December.

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Palmberg has worked for the Sheriff’s Office for 19 years, holding leadership positions in all three of its divisions. He also worked in the narcotics unit, coroner’s office and public information office, including during the Caldor Fire. Palmberg graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2025.

Leikauf announced his retirement last week. His last day with the county was set for Christmas Day. Leikauf recommended Palmberg’s appointment but gave the county insufficient notice to complete a competitive recruitment process before his departure, according to a staff report.

Leikauf’s announcement followed months of criticism from his predecessor, John D’Agostini, who served three terms as sheriff before endorsing Leikauf in 2022. D’Agostini later withdrew his support, sought the appointment himself and announced plans to run for sheriff in 2028. Leikauf told the board that the criticism did not prompt his retirement. He said the timing was right for him and his family.

The board voted 4-0 to appoint Palmberg. Supervisor Brian Veerkamp was absent but submitted written remarks opposing the appointment and calling for a competitive recruitment process. Some residents also criticized the county for moving so quickly without considering other candidates.

The decision followed nearly two hours of public comment. The board also received dozens of letters from residents weighing in on the appointment. Many supported Leikauf and Palmberg, while others backed D’Agostini or urged supervisors to slow the process and allow more public input.

Supervisor Brooke Laine said the appointment was scheduled quickly at Leikauf’s request to coincide with the anniversary of his first day working for the county. Laine said she agreed to hear the matter despite Veerkamp’s absence to honor that request.

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Another reason for moving quickly was “to address the divisiveness that it’s causing in the community,” Laine said.

The appointment “would be consistent with past practice,” County Chief Administrative Officer Sue Phillips told the board. The move is also “consistent with my experience of working with the sheriff’s office and the Undersheriff over the last four years and my confidence in the abilities of the Undersheriff to lead the office,” Phillips said.

A staff report from Phillips’ office said a competitive recruitment process would take at least three months, while Leikauf had given the county about 10 weeks’ notice of his retirement.

Palmberg was scheduled to take office Dec. 26 and serve through January 2029, earning about $25,700 a month.

This story was originally published October 20, 2026 at 1:13 PM with the headline “Eric Palmberg named El Dorado County sheriff following public debate over appointment.”

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