Sheriff's Corner

Hello from your Sheriff! Thank you all who attended and participated in the Wahkiakum Autism Awareness walk held at the High School track. The support from the community was heartfelt and my Office was honored to be a part of it! Funds raised at the event truly go to a great cause and I hope this event will grow with even more participants and spectators next year.

The Sheriff’s Office has made additional improvements to our emergency communication and response capabilities. ETC Beau Renfro and EMC Austin Smith have outfitted one of the local radio repeater sites to function as an emergency dispatch and communications center. These improvements are part of the ongoing radio upgrade project.

A self-sustaining office has been installed within the repeater complete with phones, backup power, satellite internet, and emergency provisions providing necessary dispatch functions should the Courthouse be incapacitated. This site can also act as a hub for available responders to gather information and communicate with neighboring and state agencies. Additionally, the public can use the phone to make emergency contacts in the event of widespread communication outages.

On Thursday afternoons please keep an eye out for Sheriff’s Office representatives at our field office inside Johnson Park. It has been a while since we have staffed our West End field office and I recognize the importance of having an opportunity for people to meet our staff and voice concerns. I plan on attending along with Undersheriff Gary Howell, available Deputies and Emergency Management Coordinator Austin Smith when staffing levels allow.

Beau and Austin also updated the field office to allow access to dispatch and report writing software. This will provide a comfortable space for Deputies to complete paperwork and other tasks while being open for conversation with you all. Hope to see you there!

Stay safe Wahkiakum County!