Undersheriff supports current leadership

To The Eagle:

I have written and rewritten letters to the editor towards the issue of the current campaign and have torn them up without sending. I came to the sheriff's office at the start of this year from King County. My reason in doing this had nothing to do with pay, I took a huge pay cut to make this happen. I saw a community that was really hurting and I wanted to help. If the voters don't choose to re-elect Howie then I will be retiring. I have no regrets about making the move. I have grown to deeply love this community and the people down here. In spite of a constant onslaught of trials I am glad that I made the move. I have been in law enforcement since 1977 and have worked for a lot of chiefs and sheriffs. Mark Howie is the finest boss that I have had the privilege to serve under. He has a deep passion for serving and has served well. He holds people accountable, he treats all people with respect, he is willing to really listen. Unlike a lot of leaders he is not prideful and arrogant. His door is open to anyone and without notice.

I do not want to say anything negative, this community has already been through enough. I will say that I have worked in very violent areas in King County and I have confronted hundreds of dangerous felons. We are lucky to live in a somewhat sheltered area. That being said, dangerous felons do come down here. The easy going tactics of the past need to be improved on. One recent encounter I had was with a couple of burglars, both with warrants, one hiding in the trunk with weapons. We had one of our youth this year who stole handguns and wanted to hurt someone. One logger in a heated fight shot a gun at another logger. Some kids at a party in the woods almost killed another kid, smashing his face in. If Mark is re-elected both of us will continue to do all that we can to keep this community safe. In a heartbeat we would sacrifice our lives for you. I work out constantly, not to feed my ego, but so I can be the best that I can be. My attitude as a leader is that my job is to serve the people under me, to get them the tools, the training the discipline they need, so in turn they can serve you. When I say serve, I want people of the sheriff's office who really care and will go the extra mile for Wahkiakum county.

Steve Marshall, undersheriff, Cathlamet