Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Ty Albertson steps in as next prosecuting attorney
Adam Walser swears in as the next Superior Court Judge with retiring Superior Court Judge Jeff Barkdull overseeing the ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Ty Albertson appeared before retiring judge Jeff Barkdull on Wednesday, Jan. 8, to swear in as the next Prosecuting Attorney of Lincoln County.
DAVENPORT - Adam Walser officially took his oath as the Superior Court judge for Lincoln County on Wednesday, Jan. 8, succeeding retiring Judge Jeff Barkdull.
The swearing-in ceremony at the Lincoln County Courthouse was a bittersweet moment for Walser, who previously served as the county's elected prosecutor.
"This job as a prosecutor has been the best job I have ever had," Walser said. "I remember four years ago I was in the same situation Ty is in. Jeff was swearing in as the judge, and I remember watching him swear in, and I was super proud. I couldn't help but look at the judge and say, 'That is the job right there.'"
Walser expressed gratitude for his time in the prosecutor's office, reflecting on the personal impact of the cases he worked on.
"One of the things I loved about this job was that it afforded me the ability to take cases that weren't the most grandiose or 'significant,' but really meant something to that person and were going to affect their lives," Walser said. "Those are the ones that matter the most that I look back on more. The people who were affected by those cases-it really touched them. You were able to make an impact on them individually."
Walser acknowledged the gravity of his new role and the weight of the decisions he will make from the bench.
"I am thankful to the voters in Lincoln County for their trust," he said. "I have had a lot of time to think about it. The gravity of the position is becoming more clear. I am trying to keep the perspective of how significant of a position it is and every bit of attention it deserves. You are weighing people's lives, and the decisions you make are changing their lives."
As Walser stepped into his new role, Ty Albertson, 41, was sworn in as Lincoln County's new prosecuting attorney during the same ceremony.
Albertson, who was appointed by the Lincoln County Commissioners on Monday, Dec. 16, expressed excitement about continuing the office's work while introducing his own approach.
"I am very excited. Obviously, I start on Monday," Albertson said. "I am excited to keep the office doing what it has been doing for a long time, and I am really excited to change some things and keep things the way they are."
Albertson, who was born and raised in Kennewick and has lived in Lincoln County since 2014, resides in Odessa with his wife, Blayne, and their three children, who attend school in Odessa.
He was selected for the position after meeting with the Lincoln County Republican Central Committee on Sunday, Dec. 15.
Reflecting on his swearing-in, Albertson admitted he found the ceremony nerve-wracking.
"I fumbled through it a little bit. I hate being the center of attention," Albertson said. "I had to have the judge repeat some things. It was good. I watched Adam go through it. I saw him take over the same day I took over as prosecutor. It was a good ceremony."
Albertson expressed gratitude for the commissioners' confidence in his ability to serve.
"Thank you to the commissioners for having the faith in appointing me. I do greatly appreciate it. I hope I can do a good job for them and the citizens.
I do not take it lightly that I serve the people," Albertson said.
Despite his admiration for Walser's career progression, Albertson noted his passion for the prosecutor's office and the courtroom.
"I am happy being a prosecutor. It is something I have wanted for a long time," he said. "I can't imagine not doing trials as a prosecutor. I can't imagine being a judge right now."
Both Walser and Albertson emphasized the importance of their roles in serving the people of Lincoln County.
Walser, who resides north of Reardan with his wife and four children, said he seeks wisdom and humility in his new role.
"I ask for people to pray for me," Walser said. "The first thing I did after swearing in was to get someone to pray for me. I pray for wisdom and humility. That is all I ask from anybody."
Olivia Harnack is the award-winning managing editor/photographer/videographer/columnist at the Lincoln County Record-Times, with offices in both Davenport and Odessa, Wash. She is a University of Idaho graduate and a U.S. Army National Guardsman.
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