Joe Helm Seeks Columbia Co. Sheriff Post

DAYTON – For 11 years, Joe Helm has been Chief Deputy for the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, and he is now running for sheriff in the 2018 election.

If elected, Helm said he would like to restore the fundamental functions of law enforcement which are to enforce, educate, prevent crime. And he wants to make sure deputies are more than mere community guardians, but are also active community members.

As Sheriff, Helm said he will strengthen community-oriented policing programs and collaborate with other agencies to pool resources, which can prevent many crimes from happening.

"Our community has limited resources to deal with the problems that do exist here, but our strength lies in the ability we have to work together to more efficiently address those problems," Helm said.

He said community-policing is the best way to combat the drug and drug-related offenses that are plaguing the community.

"Crimes such as theft, car prowls and burglary are committed by those people involved in drugs," Helm said. "I feel if we collaborate as a community we can really curtail the drug problem."

Cross-training deputies in narcotics investigations, and offering them broader training, would be helpful as well, he said.

Helm said an emphasis on educating youth about the harmful effects of drinking and substance abuse will pay dividends as young people reach adulthood and are full members of the community.

Helm said the department can provide better safety and security at the local schools through increased early-morning, lunchtime, and after-school patrols, as well as providing a steady presence in the form of a school resource officer.

"We will make our presence known, and just our presence being there is one major deterrent, and it puts us in a position to respond to any emergency situation," he said.

Helm says arming teachers should only be done through careful review of school district policies and state and federal regulations, and only with proper training. "I know that's a hot topic," he said. "There is not just an easy answer."

The Sheriff's Office is currently understaffed, and Helm says he will work to actively to recruit and retain staff through a variety of funding methods, including grants. At a minimum there should be six road deputies and three in administration, he said.

Helm said volunteers and reserve deputies can supplement any activities by regular law enforcement staff.

"The community wants to know that we are being accountable. As a member of this community, I want to make sure that our county is safe, not only for my own family, but the other families we know and care about," said Helm. "We are a small county, and as much as the sheriff's office needs to be effective to the community, we need the support of the community to be fully effective."

Helm was raised in Walla Walla. He graduated from Eastern Oregon University in 2001 with a BA in bilingual studies, Spanish, and physical education. After spending two years in South America on a humanitarian mission, Helm was hired by the Department of Corrections in Walla Walla, as a corrections officer. In 2007 he was hired as a deputy by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.

Helm, and his wife, Jasmin, have three children: Joseph, 17, Jordyn 14, and Janae, 12 who attend Dayton schools.

According to his press release, Helm has been involved in local theater with his children, and in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He has coached for Touchet Valley Little League as well as the Blue Mountain Youth Soccer Association.

Helm currently serves the Columbia County Youth Coalition as a strengthening families facilitator, and he is on the association board for Fire District 3.