Officially filing for Sheriff

I filed to run in 2018 and lost. Many thought that I didn't have the administrative experience to manage the Sheriff's office. In many large companies, and life situations we often start at the bottom and work our way up.

I have spent forty plus years doing my job and I can say with honest conviction that I have not stopped learning since I began at the age of 16 as a cadet at the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office.

The amount of knowledge we have to have to be on the road, making life saving decisions every day, while different than reports, work schedules, county level negotiations, hiring and promoting, it will be a welcomed addition to my knowledge as your Sheriff.

You know they always say the hardest part when looking for the perfect candidate is finding the person that has the will to succeed. I have that will and determination, and I hope to continue to faithfully serve Island County as the Island County Sheriff.

Forty Years of Experience

My father has always been an amazing example to me. As I have gotten older I see how much his work ethic and dedication played a part in my early desire to be in law enforcement.

At the age of 16 I was a cadet for the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office.

In 1985 at the age of 20 I began full time employment with the Suquamish Tribal Police near Bainbridge Island, Washington. Because of my age I had to seek a special waiver from the Governor so I could carry a handgun.

After completing the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Academy, I remained with the Tribal Police for almost another year.

In 1986 I was hired by the Winslow Police Department on Bainbridge where I served that community for the next 4 years.

In 1989 I was one of seven law enforcement officers in the State of Washington to be chosen for the “Steal a Cop” program with the Washington State Patrol.

I stayed with the patrol for about six months when I realized that my heart was in serving a community and not just handing out tickets and enforcing traffic.

In 1990, I moved with my young family to Whidbey Island to join the Island County Sheriff’s Office. I have faithfully served Island County for over thirty-one years. I went through a divorce, but I chose to stay because I was a single dad and it was paramount to me to raise my daughter in a community that was safe and familiar. I knew I could achieve that here.

My daughter is now an adult, recently married, and happy, so I could easily leave, but my heart is still here, in this community that I have served for more than half my life.

I could retire and go find a sunny beach somewhere, but that isn’t what I want to do. It’s not who I am, not when there is important work that must be done in order to serve our communities in a transparent and productive way.

If you are looking for a Sheriff that leads by example, who has an open-door policy and has the experience of meeting the needs of the community, then I’m that guy. I’m grateful for your support and I would appreciate your vote in November.