K9 officer Stark is retiring this year after a long and distinguished service with the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
Stark and his partner Corporal. Akin have worked together for over 10 years and have an agency record-setting 320 captures. Stark earned the Top Dog Award at the 2014 Washington County K9 Trials and always brought a bit of fun to shift with his festive-themed costumes.
This real-life Iron Man had an unstoppable career - he recovered from double knee surgery in 2017 and returned to work, keeping Washington County safe. Stark loved to work; his favorite job was coming to work each night with Corporal. Akin. He will now enjoy his well-earned retirement with the Akin family.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office Community Outreach Team coordinates programs and presentations for enhanced safety and community building. The team provides education and resources to the public and welcomes the opportunity to promote safety strategies and share educational presentations with local groups and organizations.
Topics include Sheriff’s Office updates, neighborhood watch/business watch, internet safety, personal safety, and scams/fraud.
We prioritize community outreach and creating positive, lasting relationships with our community members and groups. We also utilize community events and functions as educational opportunities for enhanced crime prevention guidance.
If you have an upcoming event or presentation need, please visit our Community Outreach page or email us at PublicAffairs@washingtoncountyor.gov.
K9 Bolo Earns Top Dog Award
The Washington County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff's Office Foundation hosted the 16th annual Washington County K9 Trials on Saturday, May 20, 2023. The event, which featured a K9 Trials competition, safety fair, and vendor fair, drew in close to 5,000 spectators, making it one of the largest audiences the event has seen.
The K9 Trials competition showcased the talented K9 law enforcement teams from around the region, including the Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Springfield Police Departments, and the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Congratulations to Corporal Michael Zaugg and his partner Bolo, who won the overall competition and received the "Top Dog" award.
The event was a huge success, and we thank everyone involved in making it possible. The Washington County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff's Office Foundation are committed to promoting public safety and building strong relationships with the community. The K9 Trials is just one of the many ways we work to achieve this goal.
We look forward to seeing everyone at next year's event and continuing to celebrate the dedicated K9 law enforcement teams in our region.
Earlier this year, K9 Mando and his partner Deputy Colburn completed certification to detect fentanyl. Over the past few months, they have begun detecting and locating this potentially lethal drug to help remove it from our community.
Keeping Mando safe while he works to detect this dangerous drug is a top priority. Because fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic narcotic, ingesting even minute amounts can be deadly. WCSO utilizes necessary precautions to mitigate the danger of searching for fentanyl. During training, the WCSO K9 Team uses training aids from Precision Explosives saturated in the odor of fentanyl only, so there's no chance Mando can ingest any actual fentanyl.
We're thrilled to share the success of our recent Back to School with a Deputy program in partnership with the City of Cornelius!
Our dedicated WCSO deputies serving the City of Cornelius helped distribute back-to-school supplies to students nominated by school staff. This annual event ensures that students in our community have the necessary school supplies to thrive!
Back to School with a Deputy goes beyond supplies. It allows kiddos to interact and connect with law enforcement officers in a positive and supportive environment. Building these positive relationships is crucial for fostering trust and creating a strong bond.
Let's continue to support our students as they embark on a new school year. Together, we can make a positive difference in their education and the community we call home!
Dear Washington County Community,
We would like to express our deepest gratitude for the extraordinary service and leadership of Sheriff Pat Garrett, who is retiring after an outstanding 35-year career with the Washington County Sheriff's Office. As the 32nd elected Sheriff since 2011, Sheriff Garrett has exemplified dedication, integrity, and compassion throughout his tenure.
Under Sheriff Garrett's leadership, the Washington County Sheriff's Office has achieved remarkable advancements in community policing and public safety and fostered positive relationships between law enforcement and the community. Sheriff Garrett consistently prioritized community engagement and worked tirelessly to promote trust and understanding within the community.
Sheriff Garrett's commitment to excellence and the well-being of our community has been unwavering. He has guided the Sheriff's Office through various challenges, always with a firm resolve to serve and protect the community of Washington County. His relentless pursuit of justice and compassionate approach have left an indelible mark.
Sheriff Garrett has implemented innovative programs to promote public safety and strive for inclusivity. His efforts have increased community involvement and strengthened partnerships within the law enforcement community and with community organizations. Sheriff Garrett's dedication to addressing the needs and concerns of individuals in our community has fostered an environment of collaboration and progress.
As we bid farewell to Sheriff Garrett, we express our heartfelt gratitude for his outstanding service and wish him a well-deserved retirement. The impact of his leadership will be felt for years to come as his legacy continues to shape the future of the Washington County Sheriff's Office. We are immensely grateful for his 35 years of remarkable service, his commitment to public safety, and his unwavering dedication to the betterment of our community.
Sheriff Garrett - Thank you for your selfless service, and may your retirement be filled with happiness, fulfillment, and countless new adventures.
Sheriff Garrett has served at the Sheriff’s Office for over 30 years and has held every uniform rank. He began his third term as sheriff in January 2021.
Pat also served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve for 25 years and was mobilized twice after 9/11. In 2007, he served one year in Baghdad with the 4th Brigade, 1st Infantry Division on a Provincial Reconstruction Team.
Pat earned a master’s degree in Public Administration from Portland State University and graduated from the FBI’s National Academy.
He resides in Hillsboro and has been married to Coleen for 35 years. They have two grown children. They enjoy snow skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer.
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