Turner Announces Re-election Bid

WALLA WALLA - Walla Walla County Sheriff John Turner announced last week that he will seek a second term as Sherrif this year. Two candidates - Barry Black­man and Tom Cooper - have already announced they will challenge Turner in this fall's election.

In a press release issued March 5, Turner said, "I feel blessed every day as the elected Sheriff of Walla Walla County and I appreci­ate our community's on- going support for strong and consistent law enforcement."

Turner is a Southern Cali­fornia native who spent more than 20 years with the Man­hattan Beach and Los Ange­les Police Departments. He moved to Walla Walla to help start a winery, before running for Sheriff in 2010.

Turner has family roots in Walla Walla County. His great grandfather, Friedrich Hofer, homesteaded north of Prescott more than a century ago.

Last month, Walla Walla County Sheriff's Deputy Barry Blackman announced he would run for Turner's position. Blackman was born and raised in Walla Walla and is a 32-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office.

Blackman supported Turner during his 2010 run for office. He served as chief operations deputy until last year, when he was demoted to patrol sergeant.

In March, 2013, Sheriff's deputy Tom Cooper an­nounced his candidacy for Turner's position. A week later, he was relieved of duty by Turner. Cooper had been on "light duty" status, due to a knee injury. Cooper was a 24-year veteran of the Sher­iff's office.