New undersheriff joins sheriff's department

A former King County police officer has become Wahkiakum County's new undersheriff.

Sheriff Mark Howie appointed Steve Marshall to fill the vacant position effective January 1.

"Steve brings a wealth of experience to the sheriff's department," Howie said Tuesday.

Marshall began his law enforcement career in 1977 as a security guard at Highline Community College, where he was a student. He later joined the Kirkland Police Department where he was a motorcycle patrolman. He became supervisor of the motorcycle unit, worked as a detective investigating fatal accidents and handled other duties including serving as a school resource officer.

In 1999, he joined the King County Police as a patrol officer. He entered the marine unit where he became a certified diver and eventually commanded the unit. He also commanded a search and rescue unit for 10 years, and he was a peer counselor for officers involved in critical incidents for seven years.

Two years ago, he and his wife at the time were looking for property in the lower Columbia area and found and purchased a house on Greenwood Hill (they have since separated).

Marshall said he loves his work.

"I wanted to be a police officer since I was a little boy," he said. "I'm really happy to be here. I didn't see this coming. I'm really saddened by what came about (the death last October of Sheriff Jon Dearmore)."