Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Lincoln County Sheriff Wade Magers announced he won't seek re-election for a fifth term Wednesday, April 13. His subsequent retirement will mark the end of his 32-year career in law enforcement.
DAVENPORT-Lincoln County will have a new sheriff in town after 2022. Sheriff Wade Magers announced he won't seek a fifth term of office in this year's election cycle, drawing a close to a 32-year career in law enforcement that included 16 years as County Sheriff.
Magers made the announcement in a news release Wednesday afternoon, April 13.
"I have enjoyed seeing our office grow and improve in so many areas over the past 32 years," Magers said in the release. "I am proud of the accomplishments we have made in technology, which is necessary to assist dispatch, corrections and road deputies to safely, efficiently and effectively perform their duties."
Magers was hired as a patrol deputy here in 1990 and spent nine years in the position before other posts as a marine enforcement deputy and firearms instructor. He was promoted to undersheriff in 1999 under then-Sheriff John Coley and was elected Sheriff in 2006.
He successfully ran for re-election three additional times, including a contested race against Jessie Allen in 2010.
"Sheriff Magers is currently one of the longest serving Sheriffs in the State of Washington at 16 years and is the longest serving law man in Lincoln County history," Magers' release said.
The last year of Magers' term has not been without legal controversy.
Magers is currently awaiting trial on three criminal charges of obstructing a law enforcement officer, making a false or misleading statement to a public servant and rendering criminal assistance in the third degree.
The charges stem from an alleged incident in Feb. 2020, where Magers is accused of attempting to prevent DUI charges being leveled against his son, Colton Magers, following Colton's single-car crash at the intersection of Swanson Lake and Runkel Roads southwest of Creston, according to court records.
The charges were filed by the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office after an investigation by Washington State Patrol Detective R.T. Spangler.
Magers pleaded not-guilty to all three counts last July.
His pre-trial, which has previously been pushed twice, is currently scheduled for Wednesday, April 20 at 1:30 p.m.
But any legal outcomes now won't affect or hinder any re-election bid, as Magers has elected to head for retirement.
"I know our county is in great hands with our next generation of public servants, who will keep Lincoln County one of the safest places to live in the country," Magers said.
Magers shouted out volunteer groups such as the Sheriff's Posse, Lincoln County Pet Network, HAM Radio workers, fire and EMS personnel and his dispatch and deputy staff in his announcement.
"They are the true heroes and I will miss each and every one of them," Magers said.
The next county sheriff will be decided in this year's election, which will be a contested race. Thus far, Brian Telford of Davenport, Andy Manke of Seven Bays and Jeff Barden of Deer Meadows have registered their campaigns with the Public Disclosure Commission and announced their intentions to run for office this election cycle.
But the sheriff in 2023 won't be Magers, who asked those who read his release to continue their support of local law enforcement.
"After a 32-year career, it is time for me to step down as your Sheriff and let the next generation take us into the future," Magers said. "As I complete my law enforcement career I ask you to support our men and women in law enforcement. It is time to support one another and make our county the best it can be."
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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