Medical condition claims life of local lawman

DAVENPORT - Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Mike Stauffer passed away Monday, the Sheriff's Office confirmed Tuesday.

"It is with a heavy heart that we report the passing of our beloved Sgt. Michael Stauffer," Sheriff Wade Magers said on Facebook. "Mike began his career at the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office in November of 1996, where he began serving the citizens of Lincoln County as a corrections and dispatch deputy.

In February of 1998, Mike transferred within the organization to patrol deputy. Deputy Stauffer served in that capacity until May of 2012, when he was promoted to the rank of sergeant."

Magers said Stauffer died as a result of an unexpected medical issue.

"The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office employees and all of our county brothers and sisters in blue across the state are devastated at the terrible news of Mike's passing," Magers said. "The family and the Sheriff's Office appreciate all the support from our citizens, visitors and peers who have reached out to show support for Mike and his family."

Davenport Family Foods owner and local resident Kevin Hansen said Stauffer was well-known and well-liked.

"He really is going to be missed," Hansen said. "He leaves a large void to fill, not just in the Sheriff's Office, but in the community, too."

Hansen knew Stauffer through his work with the Lions Club.

"One of the things I liked about him was he demanded accountability with club funds," Hansen said. "I also always thought he had a strong handle on what was going on in town with regards to his job [as a law enforcement officer]. I was very comfortable with the fact that he was getting things covered."

In addition to being a law enforcement officer, Stauffer was a Davenport Lions Club board member and president of Inland Empire Lodge No. 8 of the Fraternal Order of Police.

Law-enforcement officers from surrounding agencies spoke out about Stauffer's death.

"To the men and women of the Lincoln Co Sheriff's Office, we stand with you during this difficult time," tweeted Washington State Patrol Trooper Jeff Sevigney. "Thank you for your service Sgt. Stauffer."

Hansen said times like this make him appreciate the job law enforcement officers do in the area.

"Not just Mike, but the whole Sheriff's Office, is there when we need them," Hansen said. "Which thankfully in our community is not all that often. But when we do need them, they are there for us. And Mike certainly was. He is really going to be missed."

Memorial services for Sgt. Stauffer have not yet been announced.