Lieutenant Delray Shelton

Delray C. Shelton, 37, is a Sheriff’s Lieutenant with the Merced County Sheriff’s Office assigned to Administrative Services. Most recently, he was assigned to provide immediate oversight for the daily operations in the Civil, Identification, and Records Bureaus, as the Sergeant. Lieutenant Shelton’s law enforcement career spans over 15 years of service, serving in an array of assignments throughout his career; such as Custody and Corrections, Patrol, K-9 handler, Sheriff’s Tactical, and Reconnaissance (S.T.A.R.) Team, Administrative Services, Training and Hiring/Background Investigations, Court Services, Civil, Records, and ID Bureaus. In addition, Lieutenant Shelton holds various certifications and instructs an array of Advanced Officer disciplines, and is an Adjunct Vocational Instructor at Merced Community College. In 2020, Lieutenant Shelton led the efforts and was successful in constructing and opening Merced County’s first-ever Identification and Latent Print Lab.

Lieutenant Shelton is best known for his efforts as the Public Information Officer/Agency Spokesperson, which he served in this position for three elected Merced County Sheriff-Coroners throughout his career. Throughout the course of his tenure with the Sheriff’s Office, Lieutenant Shelton has collaborated with school districts, community groups, non-profits, religious groups, and businesses providing general safety and self-awareness training through presentations, scenarios, and practicums and coordinated many community-based inclusivity projects.

Lieutenant Shelton is a Merced native, where he currently calls home. In 2018, he was elected to the Merced City Council to represent District 6.  Lieutenant Shelton has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Management and Administration and a Graduate education in Executive Business Administration. In addition, Lieutenant Shelton values the art of professional development and has ascertained various other professional certificates in leadership and business practices. Lieutenant Shelton is a graduate of the Sherman Block of Leadership Institute (SLI), is a Fellow of the American Leadership Forum (ALF), and the California Association of Counties (CSAC). Lieutenant Shelton is a Managing Partner of Creative, Collaborative, and Innovative Consultancy, a Central Valley-based LLC. Lieutenant Shelton is passionate about community collaboration, teaching, and civic engagement work. In addition, he enjoys friends and family time, traveling, outdoor activities, and home improvement projects.