Sheriff Myers seeks fourth term

Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers on Monday announced that he will seek a fourth term in the upcoming primary election this year.

Myers began serving as sheriff in January of 2003 after defeating incumbent Steve Tomson in the 2002 primary election.

“It has been my privilege to serve as the sheriff of this county for the past 11 years,” he said in a statement. “The sheriff is the only law enforcement officer in the entire county who works directly for the people and who holds that position based on a vote of confidence. I am humbled by the support I have received and hope I have earned that same vote of confidence for another four years.”

Myers was one of the county’s elected officials who was active in the fall budget negotiations which contained cutbacks in his office, including a deputy. At the time, he said he and his officers would continue to provide the best service possible under the circumstances.

In addition to the budget debate, the sheriff’s office last year was called on to provide evidence, testimony and other support for four murder trials which eventually led to the conviction of the Lazcano brothers.

Myers in his announcement credited a seasoned and dedicated staff as the key reason he believes the sheriff’s office has been successful.

Integrity, community involvement and being service oriented have been key focal points of his administration, he said in the statement.

On the road and in the office, professionalism and customer service is not just expected, it is the culture, he said.

Myers points to technology and intelligence based policing coupled with “Old fashioned” shoe leather and note taking as key reasons his office continues to be successful in solving crimes and ensuring criminals are held accountable.

Myers said he believes that his office’s mission and purpose is clear.

“As long as I am sheriff, our focus will be to keep Whitman County a great place to live, work and raise a family,” he said.

“I’m fortunate that I work with dedicated individuals,” he said. “Dedicated staff members here have really made our office outstanding,” he said.

The only other known candidate who has announced for the office is Michael Assenberg of Colfax. He at one time faced charges for growing marijuana in Colfax, but the charges were dropped in the wake of state voters’ approval of the recreational marijuana initiative. Assenberg had contended he was a medical marijuana provider.