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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

The Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal is proud to appoint Deputy William Kerr and Deputy Shirley Yanez as resident deputies at the Willow Creek Resident Station.

The two deputies will begin their residency on July 20, continuing the HCSO’s commitment to providing consistent, community-based law enforcement in the Willow Creek / Hoopa area.

The Sheriff’s Office has supported this resident post due to Willow Creek being a remote part of the county, and the calls for service dictate the need to have a dedicated station and resident deputies in this area. This will ensure a timely response to calls for service and dedicated patrols 7 days a week.  

“Resident Deputies provide consistent law enforcement presence, build strong community relationships, and proactively address public safety concerns in alignment with the Sheriff’s Office mission to protect and serve with compassion and accountability,” said Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal.

About Deputy William Kerr

Deputy William Kerr brings over 13 years of law enforcement experience to his new role. Originally from Coos County, Oregon, Kerr served in the U.S. Army as a Combat Engineer and later as an academy instructor for the Afghanistan Metro Police. He transitioned to civilian law enforcement with agencies including the Myrtle Point Police Department, North Bend Police Department, and Yurok Tribal Police.

Deputy Kerr is passionate about community policing. “Ultimately, I think that I can serve the community better as Will than as Deputy Kerr,” he said. “You have to be a human being. You can’t make it all about a badge and a uniform, otherwise it’s hard to be effective.”

With ties to the local Native American community and a strong focus on addressing issues like substance use and missing persons, Deputy Kerr says he is committed to working alongside the residents of Willow Creek to build trust and make a difference. “I would like people to know that I am approachable. If anybody has any issues, they can approach me and talk about them.”

About Deputy Shirley Yanez

Deputy Shirley Yanez, a lifelong Hoopa resident and Hoopa Valley Tribal Member, is deeply rooted in the region she now serves. She began her law enforcement career with the Hoopa Tribal Police in 2023 and joined the Sheriff’s Office in late 2024.

With a passion for service shaped by a family background in firefighting and public safety, Deputy Yanez is committed to keeping the community safe. “Don’t hesitate to call,” she said. “I’m happy to continue to serve this area and build on the strong local relationships I already have.”

Deputy Yanez is especially focused on building trust and community awareness, particularly around issues like theft and outside criminal activity. She hopes to educate residents to be proactive and feel comfortable reaching out to law enforcement. 

The HCSO looks forward to the positive impact Deputies Kerr and Yanez will make as they serve and support the Willow Creek community.

If you are interested in joining our team, the Sheriff’s office is looking for locally service-oriented people like Deputy Kerr and Deputy Yanez. Please visit our website to learn more about a career at the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at: HumboldtSheirff.org/Join