Lewis County Sheriff's Office Recognizes Citizens, Employees and Others
Feb. 14—The Lewis County Sheriff's Office held its agency meeting on Feb. 3 at Bethel Church in Chehalis, where Sheriff Rob Snaza recognized outstanding work by community members, employees and others over the past two years.
The agency was unable to meet in 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic so awards were presented for work performed during 2020 and 2021, said the sheriff's office in a news release.
"Employees of the sheriff's office persevered as they worked through the challenging worldwide pandemic. I am honored to recognize my staff for their extraordinary work and the remarkable way they ensured the continuance of day-to-day operations were met in a safe and consistent manner during these unprecedented times," Snaza said.
The meeting began with the sheriff calling for a moment of silence paying tribute to the 387 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2020, as well as the 516 who died in the line of duty in 2021. In addition, Snaza remembered former Lewis County Commissioner Gary Stamper, who died during the pandemic while serving as District 3 Commissioner.
Those receiving special recognition during the meeting were:
Employee of the Year Awards for 2020
—Corrections Bureau — Corrections Deputy Rick Gould
—Field Operations Bureau — Deputy Jared Kasinger
Employee of the Year Awards for 2021
—Special Services Bureau — Support Technician Ramona Romine
—Corrections Bureau — Corrections Deputy Jeff Martin
—Field Operations Bureau — Deputy Skylar Eastman
Sheriff's Commendation
—All sheriff's office employees who worked throughout the pandemic.
"Recognized for their meritorious public service during the ongoing worldwide COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years, each member contributed in unique fashion and the office as a whole proved its professionalism, resiliency and flexibility. The commitments and sacrifices made by the entire office demonstrated exceptional dedication to duty, commitment to each other and selfless service to the citizens of Lewis County, and they truly lived up to our motto of 'public safety through professional service,'" said the sheriff's office in a news release.
Sheriff's Lifesaving Medals
—Corrections Sergeant Ron Anderson
—Deputy Matt Wallace
—Deputy Jared Kasinger
—Deputy Kelton Wheeldon
—Corrections Deputy Eric West
—Corrections Deputy Kiara Husser
—NaphCare Nurse Kim Heberer
—NaphCare Nurse Kris Coverdell
Distinguished Service Medal
—K-9 Axel, who retired from the sheriff's office after eight and a half years of service. He was recognized through his handler, Captain Rick Van Wyck, for his "exceptional and distinguished service," said the sheriff's office. Axel's "tenacious nature" led to the successful capture of 39 suspects, 117 pieces of evidence or stolen property, the discovery of 397.3 pounds of street drugs, and over 1,600 Oxycodone pills valued at over four million dollars.
"He was a devoted and loyal partner to his handler and will remain with Captain Van Wyck and his family throughout the rest of his retirement years," said the sheriff's office.
Community Recognition
A core group of Back the Blue Lewis County was recognized for its "unwavering support and dedication in their ongoing recognition of local law enforcement personnel and their professional public safety efforts to keep our communities safe during these extraordinary times," said the sheriff's office.
Years of Service and Retirement Recognition
Several employees were recognized for their years of professional service, as well as two employees for their upcoming retirements. "As a whole, their dedicated and devoted service spanned upwards of 35 years of public service, positively impacting each of the agency's three bureaus and truly touching every aspect of sheriff's office operations," said the sheriff's office.
