By admin 
The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors will consider appointing a new sheriff Tuesday to replace Sheriff Jeff Leikauf, who announced his retirement amid a dispute with his predecessor over the department’s leadership.
Read more Sacramento-area Democrats Matsui, Jones drop millions into their House races
Leikauf was elected in 2022 after more than three decades with the Sheriff’s Office. The next sheriff’s election will not be held until 2028 because of a change in state law that extended his term from four years to six.
Leikauf announced his retirement last week. He will remain in office through Christmas.
“After 36 rewarding and fulfilling years with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, I believe this is the right time for me, my family, and the Sheriff’s Office,” Leikauf wrote in an Oct. 12 letter to the Board of Supervisors. “When I ran for Sheriff in 2022, I made a commitment to serve a four-year term, and I will have fulfilled that commitment at the end of this year,” Leikauf wrote.
Leikauf recommended that the Board of Supervisors appoint Undersheriff Eric Palmberg as his successor. If appointed, Palmberg would serve the remainder of Leikauf’s term, through Jan. 8, 2029, at a salary of about $25,700 a month.
Palmberg has worked for the Sheriff’s Office for 19 years in several positions, including patrol deputy and sergeant. He also worked in the coroner’s unit, public information office and narcotics unit, according to Leikauf’s retirement letter. Palmberg served as a lieutenant in all three Sheriff’s Office divisions and graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2025, Leikauf said.
Palmberg has the support of longtime El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson, who said the appointment “would give our residents what they need most during a change in leadership: continuity, stability, and a proven leader,” in a letter to the board.
Leikauf’s announcement came amid a monthslong dispute with his predecessor, former Sheriff John D’Agostini, who accused him of putting his own interests ahead of the community. D’Agostini served as sheriff for 12 years and endorsed Leikauf as his successor. He now plans to run for sheriff in 2028 and wants supervisors to appoint him to serve the remainder of Leikauf’s term, D’Agostini wrote in a social media post last week.
“A few months ago, I apologized to everyone for my error in choice of successor and encouraged the current Sheriff to retire at the end of this year,” D’Agostini wrote. “As anticipated, he has announced his retirement and now I seek appointment to fill out the term to correct this error and get the agency back on track.”
Read more Saigon Alley Vietnamese restaurant temporarily closes in Sacramento’s midtown
Leikauf dismissed D’Agostini’s criticism in an interview with the Placerville Mountain Democrat and said the dispute was not the reason for his retirement.
D’Agostini also submitted a letter to supervisors expressing his interest in the appointment and outlining his qualifications.
“I am proud to note that during my twelve-year tenure as El Dorado County Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator, the organization experienced significant accomplishments, maintained strong agency morale and received positive assessments from the community,” D’Agostini wrote to the board. “I led the Sheriff’s Office with pride, integrity, and a commitment to public service.”
» Folsom news in your inbox: Get our free Folsom email newsletter here
It was unclear whether county officials considered D’Agostini or other candidates for the position. Leikauf, Chief Administrative Officer Sue Phillips and the Sheriff’s Office did not respond to interview requests before publication. A staff report from Phillips’ office recommending Palmberg’s appointment said an alternative would be a public recruitment process lasting as long as three months, potentially leaving the sheriff’s position vacant after Leikauf’s retirement.
Supervisor Brian Veerkamp, who will miss Tuesday’s meeting, recommended postponing the appointment to allow for a competitive selection process. “This is an elected position,” Veerkamp wrote in a letter to the other supervisors on Monday. “And we need to be respectful of that.”
The board received dozens of letters about the proposed appointment. Many supported D’Agostini, while others criticized the expedited process and urged supervisors to postpone a decision to allow more public input.
“Please do not appoint an Interim Sheriff without the community,” Kristi Seccombe wrote in a letter to the board.
“Appointing our County’s Sheriff is a significant decision that affects public safety, public trust, and the future leadership of an essential County department,” county resident Kathy Dunkirk wrote in a letter to county leaders. “Because the current Sheriff’s resignation takes effect more than 60 days from now, I believe there is sufficient time for the public to weigh in and for the Board to give this decision the thoughtful consideration it deserves.”