Dear Editor,

My relationship with Matt Stroe began when I was elected as County Commissioner in 2008. Matt was hired by past sheriff Mike Humphreys, who I had the privilege to work with for two years. As Matt was recovering from a serious knee injury he obtained in the training academy in 2008, Sheriff Humphreys assigned Matt to light duty deputy where he assisted detectives on cases and alleviated the paperwork duties of the deputies. When I took office as a commissioner and visited all the elected and department heads, Matt’s enthusiasm and dedication to the Sheriff’s office stood out. Though he was not where he wanted to be, which was on the road with his fellow deputies, he remained positive about his future in law enforcement.

In 2011 Sheriff John Turner approached the commissioners with a proposal to add a position; this was for Crime Analyst Technician. In order to accomplish this, Sheriff Turner had to have approval from the Civil Service Commission and the County Commissioners. Sheriff Turner presented to the board his proposal on April 25, 2011. In reviewing the document regarding reclassification and re-appropriation of probationary Deputy Matt Stroe, Sheriff Turner states “Matt Stroe is a great asset to this office. He is a very good employee and team player.” “He has developed skills and abilities which greatly enhance this office’s ability to provide quality public service. It would truly be a shame to lose Matt as an employee and lose the talents he has developed. Matt very much desires to remain a member of this team.”

Matt excels in whatever professional capacity he is in. He finds answers and has a gift to problem solve difficult situations. When Matt transitioned to Director of Security at Whitman College, he approached me as I am a Whitman College Alumni to see if this was a good opportunity to enhance his leadership skills. With his position at Whitman College, he has gained a tremendous amount of budgetary, leadership, and employee management skills. Matt educated himself with the workings of the county budget; he reached out to past and current commissioners to gather information.

In addition to Matt’s familiarity of the county’s complicated budgetary process, he has a deep sense of responsibility to be judicious of taxpayer’s dollars. I ask for your support in electing Matt Stroe as Walla Walla County’s next sheriff.

Perry Dozier

Waitsburg