Columbiana County Sheriff Brian McLaughlin stands with recently appointed new Chief Deputy Caleb Wycoff at the courthouse office in Lisbon. (Photo by Mary Ann Greier)

LISBON — There’s a new chief deputy in the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office, with Detective Lt. Caleb Wycoff promoted to the number two spot in the department by Sheriff Brian McLaughlin.

“I’m very excited. Extremely grateful for the opportunity,” Wycoff said Wednesday.

McLaughlin named Wycoff as his chief deputy on Monday. When asked why he chose him, he said “integrity, knowledge of the job, leadership ability.”

He also mentioned his work ethic and the excellent job leading the detective bureau. Now he’s chief deputy.

“I look forward to working with him in that capacity. I’m sure he’ll do an outstanding job for me,” McLaughlin said.

A Lisbon graduate from Lisbon David Anderson High School in 2009, Wycoff graduated in December 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with honors from Youngstown State University.

He earned an Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy Certificate in June 2013 and became a reserve deputy with the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office in August 2013. He suffered an injury while at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy in September 2013 while a member of class 155.

Wycoff, 35, joined the county Sheriff’s Office as a full-time deputy in December 2013, then made his way through the ranks, becoming a member of the Columbiana County Special Response Team in 2016 and being promoted to Detective Sergeant in November 2017, which is also the year he became a member of the Columbiana County Major Crimes Task Force.

By 2019, he was named commander of the county SRT and in 2020, he was assigned to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force. In December 2021, he was promoted to Detective Lieutenant and received the county Sheriff’s Office Deputy of the Year award. He’s an instructor of semi-auto pistol, patrol carbine and high threat CQB training.

He and his wife, Lauren, live in Lisbon with their three children.

Wycoff said he had a lot of help along with the way from the agency, other officers and other deputies. He appreciated the knowledge and help.

Wycoff had been head of the detective squad, which now includes three detectives. There are also two detectives on the county Drug Task Force.

When asked if he’ll be naming another detective, McLaughlin said at this time, he’ll stay with what he has. He said he hasn’t made up his mind.

The previous chief deputy was Jen Tucker, who’s been gone since April 2025 and is now retired, he said.