Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Former LCSO deputy returns to office
DAVENPORT-A former Lincoln County Sheriff's Office deputy who unsuccessfully ran against Wade Magers for Sheriff in 2010 is back in the county as undersheriff. Current Sheriff Gabe Gants swore in 49-year-old Jesse Allen Thursday, Dec. 1, and Allen was in the office this week Monday, Dec. 4.
Allen has spent the past eight years working for the Spokane Tribal Police Department based in Wellpinit, most recently as deputy chief of police.
"I oversaw patrol, dispatch and our probation officers," Allen said. "I started as a probation officer, moved into a narcotics detective position and then was a major crimes detective...I got to interact with a lot of interesting people."
Allen is best known locally for his time as a deputy here from 2001-2012.
A native of Sterling Valley near Creston, Allen was hired by former Sheriff John Coley in 2001 from the Asotin County Sheriff's Office and was a patrol deputy, field training officer, marine captain and reserve coordinator in his 11 years on the local force.
Ironically, his time as a field training officer included training Gants and two other candidates for the Sheriff job this year, Brian Telford and Andy Manke.
"That was somewhat of a proud moment for me," Allen said.
In 2010, controversy hit. Allen unsuccessfully campaigned against Magers, who retired this summer, for the Sheriff job.
By Nov. 2011, Allen had filed a claim with the Department of Labor and Industries claiming that back and neck problems he had developed were the result of Magers switching his patrol car to one Allen, a stocky and tall man, couldn't easily fit in.
That claim was denied, as reported in a Davenport Times article dated July 3, 2014 that Allen said he was never contacted about for possible comment.
Allen appealed the ruling, but it was upheld in Lincoln County Superior Court July 2015 by Judge John Strohmaier after a jury trial that included testimony from Magers, Gants, Telford, former undersheriff Kelly Watkins, former sergeant Mike Stauffer, Allen and Allen's doctor and physical therapist, according to court files.
The former deputy had to reimburse L&I costs and attorney fees, according to court documents.
Allen's supporters say he was unfairly treated by prior administration and welcome him back to the office.
"It was extremely unexpected but a genius move by Gants," Manke said. "I totally support the appointment."
Detractors question why he's back in the office and consider the decision a disappointing and shocking one by Gants, saying Allen cost Lincoln County money before ultimately leaving the local force in 2012.
"I've moved on. I've had to move on," Allen said. "Sometimes, what people hear may not always be accurate. I've developed relationships with the community and local law enforcement that will help this department to excel, without a doubt."
Allen also addressed a key piece of evidence in his ultimately denied Superior Court appeal: a video of him playing basketball outside Davenport Elementary School while on medical leave.
"That type of activity was prescribed by my doctor and physical therapist," Allen said. "They were fully aware of it."
Gants said he found Allen to be the most qualified candidate for undersheriff he considered.
"I had recently considered several well qualified people for the job but felt he was the best choice based on his well-rounded background in law enforcement, his knowledge of our culture and communities, and his personality," Gants said.
Gants said he hadn't spoken to Allen since the former deputy's departure from the Sheriff's Office in 2012, which included a year of medical leave. Allen hadn't been on patrol since 2011.
That changed during the Seven Bays Fire in September, when Gants worked with Allen and Spokane Tribal Police Chief Kelly Hembach and responding fire agencies to strategize fire response activities.
"When I saw the way he and Chief Hembach worked, that was the first time I thought about the possibility (of Allen being undersheriff)," Gants said.
Later that month into early October, Allen called Gants to tell him about a third-party rumor that he was going to be chosen as undersheriff if Gants was successful in the November general election.
"Knowing how politics work, I reached out to him," Allen said. "I wanted to tell him it wasn't true, because that wasn't fair to him. He asked, 'well, what would you think about coming back?'"
Allen said he was initially hesitant to consider the offer because of how he enjoyed his position with the Spokane Tribe. But after discussion with his wife, Jackie, and three adult children, talks became more serious in late October.
"I would say it wasn't until about 10 days to two weeks before the general election when the conversations really started," Gants said. "I didn't get his official paperwork until two days after the general election."
Gants said he wasn't sure if news about the potential of the Allen hire leaking before the election could have affected Magers' endorsement of him for Sheriff due to the tumultuous history between Allen and Magers. Attempts to reach Magers for comment were unsuccessful by press time.
Allen has been commuting on weekends between his 20-acre property north of Davenport and his home in Clarkston, where his wife works. Now that he's undersheriff, those commutes will be more infrequent, he said.
Both Allen and Gants acknowledged potential controversy with the hire given Allen's prior exit from the Sheriff's Office, but Allen said he and Gants have a shared philosophy about moving the department into the future.
"We're moving forward. The past is the past," Allen said. "Gabe believes in that. He wouldn't have chosen me otherwise."
Allen said anyone who has concerns is welcome to come meet him in person and have a conversation about those reservations.
"I've gotten a lot of congratulations from current and former law enforcement officers," he said. "I know I can do this job."
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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