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    Clark County Washington Sheriff's Office

    Mission Statement

    It is the mission of the Clark County Washington Sheriff's Office to work in partnership with our diverse communities to promote and enhance the safety and the quality of life in Clark County.

    Need to file a report, find a license, or register a firearm? Just click on the tab. You can also see the Jail Roster here.

    The Sheriff's Office prides itself on its involvement within the community. Check out our outreach programs.

    Clark County Sheriff K9 officers along with their handlers keep drugs and crime activity off the streets. Take a moment to meet the K9 team.

    The Clark County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit duties include the enforcement of state and local boating rules and regulations, investigation of boating accidents, water search and rescue operations, identifying and/or removal of navigational hazards, and addressing vessel operation complaints and concerns within the county.

    Children can find here safety tips when going back to school, and games that help children learn safety in their community.

    Ten Important Back-to-School School Safety Tips

    Teach your children to always TAKE A FRIEND with them when walking or biking, and stay with a group while standing at the bus stop. Make sure they know which bus to ride.

    Walk the route to and from school with your children pointing out landmarks and safe places to go if they’re being followed or need help. Teach your children they should NEVER TAKE SHORTCUTS and always stay in well-lit areas.

    It is not safe for young children to walk to and from school, even in a group. Parents should always provide supervision for young children to help ensure their safe arrival to and from school. If your children wait for a bus, wait with them or make arrangements for supervision at the bus stop.

    Teach your children that if anyone bothers them, makes them feel scared or uncomfortable to trust their feelings and immediately get away from that person. Teach them it is ok not to be polite and IT IS OK TO SAY NO..

    Teach your children if anyone tries to take them somewhere they should RESIST by kicking and screaming, try to run away and DRAW ATTENTION by kicking and screaming "This person is trying to take me away" or "This person is not my father/mother".

    Teach your children NOT TO ACCEPT A RIDE from anyone unless you have said it is ok in that instance. If anyone follows them in a vehicle they should turn around, go in the other direction, and run to a trusted adult who may help them.

    Teach your children that grownups should NOT ASK CHILDREN FOR DIRECTIONS, they should ask other adults.

    Teach your children to NEVER ACCEPT MONEY OR GIFTS from anyone unless you have told them it is ok to accept in each instance.

    Make sure the school has current and accurate emergency contact information is on file for your children and confirm names of those authorized.

    Always know where your children will be. Teach your children to always CHECK FIRST before changing their plans before or after school. Teach your children to never leave school, with anyone unless they CHECK FIRST with you or another trusted adult.

    Information on how to become involved with the Clark County Sheriff's Office can be found here.


    This page is a place to pay homage to deputies who have had their lives cut short due to tragic events within the job.

    Sheriff Lester Wood
    Sergeant Bradley W Crawford
    Deputy Sheriff Martin S Sowders
    Sheriff Willfred E Rorisen

    Click on a picture for story

    Sheriff Lester Wood

    Clark County Sheriff's Department, Washington
    End of Watch: Sunday, May 22, 1927
    Sheriff Wood was shot and killed as he and other deputies were searching for illegal stills in the woods of Clark County. While walking a trail, they encountered a man carrying a rifle. Sheriff Wood ordered the man stop, but the man instead shot him. Sheriff Wood returned fire and wounded the suspect.

    Sheriff Bradley W Crawford

    Clark County Sheriff's Department, Washington
    End of Watch: Friday, July 30, 2004
    Sergeant Crawford was killed when his patrol car was intentionally rammed by a car fleeing the scene of a standoff. Deputies had originally responded to a home to investigate reports of a domestic dispute. When they arrived at the scene, the male subject refused to come outside and was observed pointing a rifle out of a window. A SWAT team and negotiator were requested, but before they arrived the suspect, who was still armed, crawled to his pickup truck in the driveway.

    Deputy Sheriff Martin S Sowders

    Clark County Sheriff's Department, Washington
    End of Watch: Friday, November 19, 1976
    Deputy Martin Sowders was accidentally shot and killed by another deputy during a shootout with a suspect wanted for robbing a pharmacy. During the arrest the man opened fire on the deputies. Deputy Sowders was struck by return fire from one of the other deputies. The suspect was later identified as an escaped convict from the Washington State Penitentiary.

    Sheriff Willfred E Rorisen

    Clark County Sheriff's Department, Washington
    End of Watch: Monday, August 7, 1922
    Deputy Willfred Rorisen was shot and killed while assisting a federal prohibition agents raid on a still in a rural part of the county. When the officers arrived they encountered one of the suspects making moonshine and attempted to arrest him. The man opened fire with a 30-30 rifle, fatally wounding Deputy Rorisen. The other agents were able to return fire and killed the suspect.

    For more information about the people at the Clark County Sheriff's Office, visit the Clark County Sheriff's Office website.

    Sheriff: Gary Lucas

    Undersheriff: Joe Dunegan:
    To plan, direct, manage and oversee the activities and operations of the Sheriff's Department including administration, operations, planning and custody; to coordinate assigned activities with other County departments and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Sheriff.

    Enforcement Branch Chief Deputy: Mike Evans;
    To direct, manage, supervise and coordinate the programs and activities of the Law Enforcement Operations Division within the Sheriff's Department; to coordinate assigned activities with other County departments, divisions, and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Undersheriff.

    Central Precinct Commander: John Horch;
    Safe Schools - UASI/SAR - Extra Duty This is an advanced administrative and professional position with responsibility for planning, directing, and coordinating the activities of staff responsible for the various programs and divisions within the Sheriff's Office.

    West Precinct Commander: Steve Shea;
    SRO - Outreach Sgt. - Forfeiture Hearings - Amphitheater - MRT - Explorers This is an advanced administrative and professional position with responsibility for planning, directing, and coordinating the activities of staff responsible for the various programs and divisions within the Sheriff's Office.

    Investigation Commander: Mike Cooke; Drug Task Force Intelligence
    This is an advanced administrative and professional position with responsibility for planning, directing, and coordinating the activities of staff responsible for the various programs and divisions within the Sheriff's Office.

    Special Operation Commander: Mike McCabe;
    SWAT/EOD - Traffic/Marine - TDU/CCAT - ASU/SSTF - Region4 - K-9/CVE This is an advanced administrative and professional position with responsibility for planning, directing, and coordinating the activities of staff responsible for the various programs and divisions within the Sheriff's Office.

    Investigative Service Division Commander: Rusty Warren;
    Responsible for the Investigative Services Division Major Crimes Detectives, Sex Offender Registration, Planning and Accreditation, Children's Justice Center and Unusual Occurrences manual. Included areas of responsibility are Social Media, Firearms Committee, and the Mental Health / Law Enforcement Operations Group.