The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Dear Editor,

I was proud to be a deputy sheriff with the Walla Walla Sheriff's Office for 37 1/2 years. I served in several different capacities and retired Feb. 28, 2014. I served under five sheriffs. Each of the first four sheriffs brought their skills and leadership to this department. The fifth sheriff, Sheriff John Turner, is the hardest working, most dedicated, most honorable, and most ethical law enforcement leader I served with. Since his first day in office he averages 65-80 hours of work per week, far more than any prior sheriff.

Sheriff Turner is dedicated to making the Walla Walla Sheriffrsaquo;s Office the best it has ever been. He has brought very skilled staff members to the department to share their knowledge and experience. He strives to equip every deputy and corrections officer to the best possible level for his or her safety. This has included bullet proof vests that are not expired, rifles, pistols, patrol vehicles, computers, K-9s, warm uniforms, and more. John Turner has brought the department into the 21st century of law enforcement technology and diverse training. He has done this under budget every year and has met his last campaignrsaquo;s goals ahead of schedule by 2 years.

In January 2011 I went back to patrol as the most senior department sergeant from a captainrsaquo;s (corrections commander) position, a post Irsaquo;d held under then-sheriff Mike Humphreys. I had run for sheriff in 2010 against Captain Bill White and now- Sheriff John Turner. I quickly learned that John Turner was going to make a great sheriff! Sheriff Turner is not perfect. None of us are. But he is a very, very good Sheriff. Please join retired Judge Don Schacht, Margaret Schacht, retired Walla Walla Police Chief Chuck Fulton, and myself in re-electing Sheriff John Turner. Between us, Don, Margaret, Chuck, and I have over 125 years of experience in law enforcement and criminal justice management experience. We know that John Turner is the more qualified and best choice for Sheriff of Walla Walla County.

Jim Romine

Waitsburg