Whatcom County Sheriff's Office

This week, during National Co-Responder and Crisis Responder Week, we acknowledged the vital work of co-responders and crisis responders! These dedicated professionals provide critical support to individuals in crisis, connecting them with life-changing resources. Please join us in thanking them for their compassion, expertise, and commitment to community well-being.

Photos:
Co-Responder Jeremy Caplan, Deputy Klix, Deputy Wilson and Co-Responder Lonnie Bauman
Members of WCSO’s Crisis Negotiations Team.

LOCAL CANINE (K9) TEAMS AMONG STATE’S FIRST TO BE FENTANYL-DETECTION CERTIFIED

Bellingham, WA – The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) and the Bellingham Police Department (BPD) are proud to announce that our K9 units are among the first in the state to receive certification for fentanyl detection under the new standards set by Washington State House Bill 1635 (2024).

This leading-edge achievement is in line with local law enforcement’s commitment to staying at the forefront of capabilities to combat the opioid epidemic. The certification ensures that these K9 teams meet the highest standards for detecting fentanyl, a deadly and highly potent synthetic opioid.

On Sept. 15, six K9 teams from four law enforcement agencies attended and passed this training, which was held in Marysville, WA. These six K9 teams from WCSO (2), BPD (1), Marysville WA Police Department (2) and Anacortes Police Department (1) are the first in the state to be certified under the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC).

Whatcom County and BPD are leaders in K9 training. WCSO Sergeant Jason Nyhus is a Master Trainer with the Washington State Police Canine Association (WSPCA) and is president of the WSPCA. WCSO Deputy Streubel and Deputy Taddonio are patrol trainers with the WSPCA. Deputy Streubel is also a narcotic trainer and a generalist patrol representative for the WSPCA. BPD K9 Trainer and Handler Jeremy Woodward is a Master Trainer with BPD. Streubel and Woodward are Evaluators for K9 teams in Washington State through CJTC. Woodward is also a K9 trainer with WSPCA and works a dual-purpose K9.

"The certification of our canine units is part of our ongoing efforts to battle the opioid epidemic and promote public safety," said Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell “Tank” Tanksley. "We are proud to be among the pioneers in meeting these new standards and look forward to seeing the results as we add this capability."

“I am proud of all our regional K-9 handlers and their partners for getting certified so quickly under this new legislation,” said Bellingham Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig. “I have no doubt their work will save lives in our community. I would like to thank our local legislators for their support of HB 1635 and their continued support in combating the fentanyl crisis.”

Sheriff Tanksley and Chief Mertzig note that the new certification – interceding with another lethal and illicit drug - adds another level of risk for our K9 partners. K9s often face potentially dangerous situations when they are deployed. Both BPD and WCSO utilize Kevlar vests to help protect our K9s. Purchasing Kevlar vests has been supported through 30x30 Fundraising, a local non-profit organization. Visit the following links for more information:
Support WCSO K9s: https://bit.ly/WhatcomCountyK9s
Support BPD K9s: https://bit.ly/BellinghamPDK9s

PHOTO: Deputy Streubel and Apex, Deputy Taddonio and Luca.

On Thursday, September 19, Sheriff Donnell "Tank" Tanksley met with members of the Lynden Community and Senior Center. The meeting focused on public safety and community programs. We appreciate the opportunity to listen and work together.

We are looking for people interested in a career in public service through our Corrections Bureau.

“The best benefit of working in the jail is the close-knit work family,” said Sergeant Curt Mount, who’s been with WCSO Corrections since 1987. “We work with people daily who need help and do everything we can to help them. That is very rewarding.”

The first step to employment with WCSO Corrections is testing through Public Safety Testing (PST). PST will be testing at the Bellingham Police Department on Saturday, October 5th. For more information on testing and to register, visit https://www.publicsafetytesting.com/events/17487.

UPDATE (Wednesday, 2:00pm): Zekiel has been located and reunited with his family.

UPDATE: Zekiel was last seen Wednesday morning at 9:42 at the Bellingham Goodwill.

13-year-old Zekiel Lopez, an autistic person, was last seen this morning (Wednesday) at 7:00 at the Mobile gas station in Kendall. His family believes he may have hitched a ride into Bellingham. Zekiel is wearing a black shirt, black pants and white tennis shoes. If you see Zekiel, please contact 911.

For over 20 years, the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) Jail Alternatives Program has been proud to partner with the U.S. Forest Service on vital projects that benefit our community!

We're excited to share the "before and after" photos of our latest project - the replacement of the Fire and Ice Boardwalk at Heather Meadows. This 30-year-old boardwalk has withstood massive snow loads and has been repaired by our work crews over the years, but it was time to replace it.

Our Jail Alternatives Work Crew made this happen, without taking away work from federal employees. We're grateful for this long-standing partnership and the opportunity to make a difference in our beautiful outdoors!

WCSO's Jail Alternatives Program is one of the largest in the state! This voluntary program allows low-risk offenders to work off their jail time while giving back to the community. It helps build valuable work habits, preserves jail space for more serious offenders, and benefits our community.

The Work Crew members shown here agreed to be photographed. We never publish inmate photos without consent. Thank you to these individuals for their hard work and dedication to giving back!

On the evening of September 13, Deputies and Sergeants from Swing and Graveyard shifts visited Deputy Herzog’s memorial site to pay their respects and remember their fallen colleague.

The family’s remembrance placard was cleaned up and reposted. It is now accompanied by a custom 117 (Matt’s badge number) memorial badge star, created by Retired Senior Blaine Police Officer Tom Erickson (821).

4A117, gone and NEVER forgotten.

Today, September 13, we pause to honor the memory of Whatcom County Deputy Matt Herzog, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty on this day in 2001. Deputy Herzog's passing was a result of injuries sustained during a courageous pursuit of a felony offender in Whatcom County.

During his five years of service with the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Herzog exemplified compassion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. His enthusiasm and passion for serving and protecting our community left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

We remember and honor Deputy Herzog's ultimate sacrifice made in service to Whatcom County. His spirit continues to inspire and live on in the heart of our agency, reminding us of the importance of our mission and the bravery required to fulfill it.

May his memory continue to inspire us to serve with courage, compassion, and dedication.

Today is National Police Women's Day! We'd like to take a moment to acknowledge and thank the courageous women who serve and protect our communities, both on Patrol and Corrections. Their dedication, strength, and compassion make a difference every day.

Thank you, Deputies!

UPDATE (Thursday, September 12, 11:00 am): The road is now open.

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ROAD CLOSURE:
Thursday, September 12, 10:30 am. The 2900 block of E Smith Rd will be closed until further notice due to a three-vehicle collision.

UPDATE: Mr. Bader has been located!

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Please be on the lookout for Mr. Bader, who was last seen Tuesday evening at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham.

More information is shared below from the Bellingham Police Department.

Twenty-three years ago, our nation faced an unprecedented tragedy. Today, we honor the memories of the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost and the brave first responders who risked everything to save others.

Let us never forget the sacrifices made on 9/11 and strive to make our world a safer, more compassionate place for all.

September is Preparedness Month. For this Spotlight on Service, we’re recognizing Whatcom County's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), celebrating 25 years, and honoring our CERT Coordinator Doug Bestle.

𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘
𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲

Try telling Doug Bestle not to take on more. Of course you can, but it won’t change anything. The once aimless, art-focused college student got detoured from Denver to the Vietnam War and has not been aimless since.

“I made a promise to myself when I was in Vietnam that I would stop being a victim of other people’s intentions for me,” says Doug. “I would take control of my own life.”

While he still enjoys and creates art of all kinds, the paths Doug chose meant he would fill up his days making a difference in other lives.

Before retirement, Doug was a contract engineer in the oil and gas industry. That work took him all over – from Alaska’s North Slope and Calgary to California, Georgia and (unfortunately) Wichita, Kansas. It also introduced him to stuff he loved.

“As a project manager, I got to put together teams to do projects,” says Doug. As the team leader, he motivated others to work together for a common purpose.

He’s still doing that, but for a lot less money.

When he entered the engineering field, it was a seller’s market. His skills were in high demand and he was paid well.

But “pay was never my incentive,” says Doug. That’s why he supplemented time spent on the job with time spent in the community – as a volunteer.

Locally, Doug has supported the Arthritis Foundation, Computers for People in Need, the American Cancer Society’s 24-Hour Relay, Whatcom Humane Society – and served as president of Kiwanis, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Brigid Collins Family Support Center board.

“If you get involved in non-profits and do some work, it sucks you up to the top,” he says.

That’s what happened when Doug discovered Whatcom County’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. First, he took the CERT training, then he became a registered Emergency Worker just as the COVID-19 pandemic began.

“I volunteered for everything – traffic management, testing, registration for vaccinations,” says Doug. “I drove for the shelter, delivered food and ran the donations center for a while.”

And now Doug leads Whatcom County’s CERT program – as an unpaid volunteer. He prepares, promotes and teaches the eight-week courses all over Whatcom County, from Point Roberts and Lummi Island to Blaine, Sudden Valley and Western Washington University (WWU).

“It’s like pulling together a travelling circus” of props and materials he says, but it’s worth it. “Students come in anxious because they don’t know what to do in a disaster.”

The training helps them know what to do and how to do it, empowering them to respond in those first critical moments before professional first responders arrive. Doug says one young trainee had a chance to experience that recently: they were in a store when another shopper fell and was cut by glass. The young volunteer took charge.

“The important takeaway was not so much that they knew how to stop the bleeding,” says Doug. “It was that they had the confidence to step up and take action.” It made a difference. And so does he.

Thank you for your service, Doug Bestle!

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The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is committed to service that is fair, transparent, equitable and approachable. Transparency is more than showing the work of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, it’s also showing those who do the work. While uniforms or marked vehicles identify some Sheriff’s Office employees, many of those delivering vital service are unseen. Our Spotlight on Service series introduces Sheriff’s Office staff to those we serve, shining a light on their work and its value to our county.

We are proud to have co-hosted the 50th 1st Responder Mental Health and Wellness Conference in Bellingham. This milestone event brought together almost 200 attendees from across the Pacific Northwest for a two-day multifaceted training and networking experience. The conference aimed to support the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of public safety professionals.

1st Responder Conferences is dedicated to working with leaders in the public safety professions to provide essential resources and support for their overall well-being.

We'd like to thank the local businesses who donated to the raffle for the event.
Lombardi's Bellingham
Silver Reef Casino Resort
Superfeet
Fairhaven Runners & Walkers
Cosmic Games
District Brewing Company
Cyro Rolls
Bellingham Golf & Country Club
North Bellingham Golf Course
The Chrysalis Inn & Spa Bellingham
The Upfront Theatre
Coconut Kenny's
Woods Coffee
Village Books in Fairhaven

We love assisting our neighboring agencies when possible.

Honoring the workforce that keeps our country moving!

Happy Labor Day to all the dedicated workers out there. May your day be filled with rest, relaxation, and fun!

A quick reminder from our Division of Emergency Management about the tsunami alert siren alarm Monday at noon. This is only a test.

Congratulations José Jurado on Your Retirement!

After 35 incredible years of dedicated service to Whatcom County Facilities Management, José Jurado is hanging up his hat! Since 1989, José has been a shining star, supporting the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office with his infectious smile and amazing sense of humor.

His tireless efforts to support our facilities, including the jail and work center, have not gone unnoticed. His kindness, expertise, and willingness to go above and beyond will be deeply missed.

Please join us in congratulating José on this well-deserved milestone!

In case you were wondering about the activity on Bennett Rd and Marine Drive earlier today.

Heads up, Whatcom County drivers! Our streets are abuzz with back-to-school energy!

Students will be outside waiting for the bus! Remember to slow down & watch for kids playing/gathering near bus stops.

UPDATE: (Wednesday, August 28, 4:49p) Daniel has been located. Family has been made aware. Thank you for all your tips and to the Bellingham Police Department for their help.

MISSING PERSON ALERT:

UPDATE (Wednesday, August 28, 2:45p): We have reason to believe that Daniel is within the city limits of Bellingham. He was last seen heading south around Northwest Dr. and W Bakerview Rd. Daniel may also be wearing baggy, short denim jeans and no longer has the blanket with him.

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The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) is seeking the public's assistance in locating Daniel, a missing vulnerable adult whose family is concerned for his welfare. Daniel was last seen around midnight on August 27 in the area of the 4300 block of Northwest Drive. Daniel was last seen wearing only underwear and wrapped in a blanket (similar to the one pictured). He was not wearing shoes or a shirt.

If you have any information or have seen Daniel, please call 911.

Meet the Mullet Ponies!

Members of our Corrections staff and their friends decided to get out on the ice and join the Bellingham Sportsplex Hockey League. Their team, called the Mullet Ponies is ready to take on the season with skill, teamwork, and a whole lot of heart.

Let's wish them the best of luck as they hit the ice! May their sticks be strong, their skates be fast, and their camaraderie be unbreakable.

Go Mullet Ponies!

𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘
𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱

“It takes a village to run a jail.”

Perhaps no one understands that better than Laurie Reid, the Corrections Division Secretary who coined the phrase. She knows, because her job is to “keep the machinery of jail operations rolling.”

Laurie is the one who facilitates the 57 contracts for jail services.

She says those contracts cover – but are not limited to – meals, commissary, the phone system, work crews and transportation, the library, community college, as well as medical services, which includes nursing, doctors, pharmacy, the hospital, dental, mental health and lab services.

Managing so many vendors and contracts, with rolling contract renewal dates, is a full-time job. But that’s not all she does.

“I keep an eye on the bottom line,” Laurie says. “I pay the contract invoices and keep track of the overall budget.”

She may be so good at watching the dollars because she’s also managed loonies and deutschemarks.

Laurie was born in England, raised in Canada, and then, as a young woman, moved to Hamburg, Germany to work at the Canadian Consulate. She met her husband, an American Marine stationed at the American Consulate, and eventually emigrated to the United States.

After her husband retired and then went to work for the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) Division of Corrections, Laurie noticed he had much better benefits than she had working for a small private business. So she applied for every opening in the County – and she went to work becoming a U.S. citizen.

By the time she took the citizenship test, Laurie knew the answer to all 100 questions.

That level of saturation – full immersion – is part of who she is.

To work at the consulate, Laurie went to school three hours a night after work to learn the language so she could answer calls, run the telex and distribute mail - all in German.

And when she’s not working? She and her husband don’t just go camping; they glamp it up in a 35’ travel trailer. And her special hobby, painting rocks, quickly outgrew her home’s spare shelves; they’re now selling all over the country (especially in Florida and Texas.)

When she IS working? Clearly, this world citizen has found her place at the WCSO Division of Corrections.

“I can’t see myself doing anything else. I’m here until I retire.”

Thank you for your service, Laurie Reid!

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The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is committed to service that is fair, transparent, equitable and approachable. Transparency is more than showing the work of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, it’s also showing those who do the work. While uniforms or marked vehicles identify some Sheriff’s Office employees, many of those delivering vital service are unseen. Our Spotlight on Service series introduces Sheriff’s Office staff to those we serve, shining a light on their work and its value to our county.

Just this morning we received a report of someone being scammed out of $18,000. Yesterday, another report of $3,800.

Whatcom County Sheriff's Office The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office page is a portal to the community for sharing information.

SR 20 is open! Thank you, WSDOT!

IT'S BACK! SR 20 North Cascades Highway reopened at noon today (Aug. 22) between Granite Creek and Easy Pass trailhead (milepost 148-157) after having been closed since Aug. 4 for fire activity and then a mudslide.

Before you start your engines, a few things to know:

-Fire crews continue to work in the area in response to the Easy Fire and a 35 mph advisory speed zone has been posted between milepost 150 and 154.
-Please do not pull over or attempt to pass through this area and remain alert for fire and maintenance vehicles exiting and entering the roadway.
-Beginning 7 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 26, there will be flagger-controlled traffic with a pilot car between milepost 150 and 154 so maintenance crews can continue to clear basins and restore drainage. The road will remain open without a pilot car during non-working hours.

Thank you to our crews for all of their work to clear ~7,000 tons of material after a mudslide buried sections of the road on Aug. 11 following a rainstorm. We are grateful for all of your hard work!

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¡Está de vuelta! La carretera estatal SR 20, también conocida como la Carretera Cascadas Norte, fue reabierta al mediodía de hoy 22 de agosto entre el arroyo de Granite Creek y el inicio del sendero de Easy Pass (entre las millas 148 y 157) luego de haber estado cerrada desde el 4 de agosto debido a un incendio y más adelante debido a un alud.

Antes de echar a andar el motor de su vehículo, necesitamos que sepa algunas cosas:
-Cuadrillas de bomberos siguen trabajando en la zona, combatiendo las llamas del incendio conocido como Easy Fire, y se ha instalado un límite de velocidad de 35 mph entre las millas 150 y 154.

-Por favor no estacione su vehículo a un costado del camino y no trate de pasar a otros vehículos cuando transite por esta zona. Manténgase alerta a la presencia de vehículos de bomberos y de equipos de mantención que puedan entrar a, o salir de, la carretera.

-A partir de las 7 de la mañana del lunes 26 de agosto habrá banderilleros controlando el tránsito vehicular junto con un vehículo piloto entre las millas 150 y 154 para que las cuadrillas de mantención puedan seguir despejando cuencas y restaurando drenajes. En las horas fuera de la jornada de trabajo, el camino estará abierto sin vehículos piloto.

Muchas gracias a nuestras cuadrillas que esforzadamente despejaron alrededor de 7.000 toneladas de material luego de que un alud enterrara partes del camino el 11 de agosto después de una tormenta. ¡Les agradecemos enormemente su trabajo!

WCSO Detectives are looking for tips regarding the 2009 murder of Jeff Little in Everson. Please watch the "Unsolved Northwest" segment from KING 5 for more information. If you have any information regarding this case, please call Chief Francis at 360-778-6636 or Sergeant Gates at 360-778-6613.

He was found fatally shot in his truck 15 years ago. Whatcom County detectives believe it was an ambush On July 28, 2009, Jeff Little was found dead in the front seat of his pickup truck on a quiet road. The 34-year-old had been shot multiple times.

SUSPECT IN CUSTODY, VICTIM AT HARBORVIEW

BLAINE MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER, TWO OTHER COUNTS

A Blaine man has been arrested and is charged with attempted murder following an assault on a victim that caused significant injuries and required transfer to Harborview Hospital in Seattle.

Clayton E. DuBois (43, of Blaine) is being held at Whatcom County Jail on charges of Attempted Murder 2nd (domestic violence) and two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2nd after initially being detained on Suspicion of Driving Under the Influence (DUI.)

Bellingham Police officers were summoned to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center at approximately 3:40 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20 by hospital security personnel who were attempting to detain DuBois after he dropped off a bloodied person and was trying to leave. According to Bellingham Police, DuBois admitted he had consumed drugs and alcohol and was arrested for DUI.

DuBois told Bellingham Police he had assaulted the victim in an attempt to kill them at a Blaine residence. At some point, he said he “had a change of heart” and drove the victim to the hospital Emergency Department.

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Deputies went to the Blaine address and found evidence of a serious assault. After obtaining search warrants, deputies located a gun safe with two fi****ms. Deputies learned DuBois was a previously convicted felon, not allowed to have fi****ms.

The victim was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center on Tuesday morning for treatment of sustained injuries.

If you are being abused or know someone who is, please visit https://www.dvcommission.org/where-to-get-help.

The Baker River dam siren testing system is being tested today (Wednesday, August 21). More info is posted below from Whatcom Ready.

"This is only a test"...

Today (Aug. 21) between 10am and early afternoon, if you're in the area of Concrete, or anywhere between Birdsview and Van Horn along Highway 20 and the Skagit River, do not be alarmed if you hear a siren.

The Baker River dam siren system is being tested during that time. Those with questions about the early warning siren testing or the Baker River Hydroelectric Project may call PSE’s Major Project Hotline, at (888) 404-8773.

🚨🚨🚨 FOUND 🚨🚨🚨

UPDATE!! Martha has been located and is safe! Thank you, everyone, for your quick action!

🚨🚨🚨 MISSING VULNERABLE ADULT 🚨🚨🚨

Bellingham, we need your help. 73-year-old Martha Sherwood is missing. She was last seen today at Costco at 5:10 pm. Martha wandered away from her husband. She was last seen wearing a blue "Whatcom Physical Therapy" shirt, blue jeans, and black shoes. She may attempt to go to Walmart or the United Church of Ferndale. Martha is very friendly and safe to approach. We would like to reunite her with her concerned family. If you see her or have any information regarding her location, please call 911. (8/15/2024)