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Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
Kittitas County, WA - 09/19/2019 - Sheriff Gene Dana announced that he will be retiring at the end of October after serving 46 years in Law Enforcement including 25 years with the Washington State Patrol. He was elected six times as the Kittitas County Sheriff, is currently the longest serving Sheriff in this State and has served more terms than any Sheriff in the History of Kittitas County.
Sheriff Dana started his law enforcement career with the Washington State Patrol in 1974 serving as a Trooper in King County. He was promoted to line sergeant and assigned to Kittitas County in 1984. He was elected Kittitas County Sheriff 1999, re-elected in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2016 and 2019. Sheriff Dana's other activities: Rotary Club of Ellensburg 30 years (President 1992 and 2010) Ellensburg Rodeo Board of Directors 16 years (President 2014-2015) Kittitas County Law and Justice Council (past Chairman) KITTCOM Board of Directors Central Washington University Law and Justice Advisory Board Washington Sheriff’s Association (President 2014-2015) “I have enjoyed seeing the Office grow over the last 20+ years and very pleased with the accomplishments at the Sheriff’s Office during my watch. This includes moving the Sheriff’s Administration to a modern facility, the remodel of the jail and addition of the new jail pod to provide safe housing for many years to come. We increased our staff from 47 in 1999 to almost 90 personnel today. We now have one of the best volunteer Search and Rescue organizations in the State and a well-equipped marine patrol/swift water rescue program. Our multi-agency Special Response Team is well trained to respond to high risk situations and our officers are well equipped to do their jobs. We now have security in our Courthouse with cameras, proximity cards and great security personnel. Because of the collaboration of other departments and agencies, our Emergency Management Division is much better prepared to deal with emergencies and disasters. We have a Citizen Patrol program that utilizes volunteers as extra eyes and support for the Sheriff’s Office, volunteering thousands of hours a year. I am proud to say I currently have the best and most experienced command staff in the State. Supported by two new Line Sergeants and two new Corporals, they will lead the next generation of officers in reducing crime and serving the people. Our County is in good hands and is a safer place. I would like to thank all my staff, our citizens and our County Officials for their support and confidence that assisted me in “Keeping the peace, protecting all people and upholding the Constitution of the United States.” Now that this year’s fire season is over, and we have passed Proposition #1 forever, it is time for me to move on to my next adventure. I am happy to say I will be retiring on the last day of October 2019 and I will be working full time at home for my wife who has supported me for the past 46 years. I will also be acting as a special consultant to my grandchildren. The need for and challenges of the Sheriff will always exist, but my time and work here is done.” Kittitas County Sheriff Gene Dana
Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
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Contact: 509-962-7525, sheriff.office@co.kittitas.wa.us
