Deputies Recognize Professionalism of Crider

Dear Editor,

My son is a Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Deputy. Every day, I pray the safety of every deputy because their job is inherently dangerous, unpredictable, and mentally and physically taxing. They do their job without complaint and without looking for any thought of reward. I know they appreciate the public’s support as we are fortunate to live in a county where law enforcement is respected and valued.

In recent weeks, however, I have seen a few members of the public take to social media sites and other news outlets attacking the deputies over preference on who should be our next Sheriff. The deputies have been referred to as “minions”, the service of the Sheriff’s Office has been described as “cowpie,” and some have suggested a conspiracy to undermine the election process by spreading misinformation via fake social media accounts and word of mouth. If my son had any free time to spare between serving this county and raising a family, he certainly wouldn’t spend it stooping into the mudslinging of politics.

My son, and the vast majority of his fellow deputies, chose to endorse Mark Crider because they are professionals and they recognize the professionalism of Mark Crider. They see a man who has walked the walk and talked the talk. An accomplished law enforcement expert, Mark has had to make the hard decisions leaders make both day-to-day and in stressful situations. He doesn’t want to be Sheriff because he admires law enforcement; any random good guy can do that. He wants to be Sheriff because he recognizes the inherent goodness and dedication of the deputies and he wants to be a part of that wonderful team.

Minions? Cowpie? Conspirators? Hardly. The men and women of the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office are dedicated, honorable, dutiful, and loyal servants who conduct their private lives in the same way they conduct their public lives; beyond reproach. Anyone who says otherwise is just selling something. It is the deputies who have the most invested in this election. In Mark Crider they see an unbeatable opportunity to have a leader who understands them because he is them. In Mark Crider, I see a Sheriff who will do everything in his power to increase the safety, effectiveness, and talent of the deputies. I stand with our deputies and I support Mark Crider for Sheriff.

Denelle Johnson

Walla Walla