Randy Miller sworn in as newest county deputy

Jana Mathia, Whitman County Gazette | Dec 10, 20200

Chris Chapman count

Deputy Randy Miller is sworn in before starting duty Dec. 1

COLFAX - The Whitman County Sheriff's Office has a new deputy.

Resident Randy Miller was sworn in Dec. 1.

"He's a real great hire for us," Undersheriff Chris Chapman said.

Miller, 30, is the son of Clark and Fonda Miller of Diamond, one of eight children to the pair.

He first became involved with firefighting when he was 16, accompanying his dad at the Diamond Fire Department.

"He liked that law enforcement deal a long time ago," his father, Clark Miller, said, recalling Randy Miller always wanted to help people.

He graduated from St. John in 2008 and began to pursue education in firefighting before coming back to work on the family farm.

Randy Miller eventually gave up his partnership in the farm to move to Colfax to pursue work with the fire department and ambulance crew. He also worked at Spokane Seed and, for a short time, a trucking company.

Randy Miller has been active in the Colfax Fire Department and Rural Fire District No. 11.

Clark Miller said he encouraged his son to pursue the reserve deputy program, which he enjoyed and knew would do well.

Chapman agreed.

Randy Miller's local knowledge and strong work ethic was "gold for us," he said, adding the new deputy is the kind of guy who gives 110%.

Randy Miller served as a volunteer reserve deputy for two years and as a volunteer firefighter/EMT for Colfax for 12 years.

For the last five to six months, Randy Miller was putting in almost full time hours as a reserve deputy while maintaining his job at Spokane Seed, Chapman said.

"It's a fitting job for him," said Clark Miller, who went on a ride-along with his son recently. During the ride-along, he noticed how observant Randy Miller was and how he handled situations.

"I just like his professionalism," he said, recalling a traffic stop in which Randy Miller noticed a vehicle's tires were very low and pulled it over for safety concerns.

"I would never notice that tire being low," Clark Miller said.

The call evolved into more as the tabs were expired and the driver was not the owner.

Clark Miller said he was impressed by his son's manner in dealing with the incident.