The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Dear Editor,

I had the pleasure of getting to know Sheriff John Turner while I served as an advisor to Walla Walla Dispatch. I recall Sheriff Turner's excellent demeanor and ethics as the task of upgrading the County's communications system came into focus. He very quickly gained an understanding of the cause, effect and long-term implications of a weather related system outage, and helped to chart a path toward its mitigation and restoration. Sheriff Turner worked closely with the EMCAB Director, partners, elected officials, and consultants to collectively bring this critical system back on line. It's a rare individual who can come into a new organization, hit the ground running, and provide such a strong contribution in a time of crisis.

As time passed I observed how John Turner went about the task of developing key relationships with fellow agencies. It was clear to me that this was not a self-serving act, but that he was genuinely committed to his colleagues and to the staff of the agencies he served alongside. Leadership must develop synergistic relationships in the greater public safety community to be successful in serving the public. Sheriff Turner is one of those highly skilled leaders who know how to develop strategic relationships, and do so in a mutually beneficial manner that will endure the test of time.

I also want to briefly address the personal side of "Sheriff John." He possesses a gentle soul, yet is strong and firm when faced with the task of standing against criminality of any kind or form. I can easily see just how much Sheriff John cares about the people he serves and works with. And as someone with deep multigenerational roots in Walla Walla County, he has pride in its history, and desire in his bones to protect and serve this community that he loves so much.

I am very comfortable in recommending to the citizens of Walla Walla County that John Turner be overwhelmingly elected as your Sheriff. He will do a fine, fine job on your behalf. Richard Kenneth Olsen Tieton, Wash.