Lewis County Sheriff Steve Mansfield will retire from law enforcement at the end of this year.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Lewis County Sheriff Steve Mansfield announced to his employees yesterday he will retire at the end of the year, telling them the last time he ran for office, he knew it would probably be his final four years.
Mansfield, 56, said part of it was for his family.
“It’s not good, it’s not bad, it is what it is,” he said. “I’ll miss all of you.”
The rural Winlock resident was first elected in 2005, after being appointed almost a year earlier to fill out the term of former Sheriff John McCroskey.
His words came yesterday afternoon at the sheriff’s office annual gathering to recognize and reward exemplary performance. The meeting was held at Bethel Church of the Assemblies of God in Napavine.
The final honor he bestowed was one of his engraved coins he handed to his wife, Jill Mansfield who joined him on the stage in the large chapel.
“You don’t sit in this chair and deal with what you deal with and come out alright without someone like this,” he said.
With sometimes unconcealed emotion, Mansfield shared his shifted view of their law enforcement role as warriors to that of guardians of the community.
Mansfield recounted to the group the four days in December some of them spent in a standoff with a suicidal and mentally ill young man in Winlock. He commended Deputy Chris Ruben for the compassion he showed the parents, who sent a card saying they knew all did their best, even though their son shot himself.
Mansfield said while their organization has faced challenges, he feels that together they have made a positive difference in each others lives and in the community.
“You are the protectors, you are the ones that people call when there’s no one else to call,” he said. “Thank you all for an interesting, sometimes painful, and all in all very rewarding ride.”
Mansfield, whose law enforcement career began at the sheriff’s office in the early 1980s, rose to the top among four members of the office who sought the appointment after McCroskey stepped down in mid-term.
A Republican, he won the office again in 2006, but in 2010, one of his sergeant’s, Ken Cheeseman, made a strong showing, following a controversy over Mansfield’s handling of a runaway case involving the teenage girlfriend of his son.
He said he’s unaware of anyone other than Rob Snaza, another one of his sergeants, planning to run for sheriff in November.
Among the honors Mansfield presented before making his announcement was a meritorious service medal to detective Bruce Kimsey for working the decades old Maurin murder case like a puzzle and helping gain a conviction last fall.
He gave four individuals a Guardian Award, which replaced his previous Warrior of the Year Award. They are Deputy Sue Shannon, Sgt. Snaza, Jail Chief Kevin Hanson and Lisa Arthur who works with the sex offender registration.
Also named employees of the year for 2013, were the following:
• Operations Bureau: Deputy Tim English
• Support staff: Kari Lupo
• Corrections Bureau: Daniel Spanski-Dreffin
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
I was going to comment- but the following from “OMG Really?” are my exact thoughts…
As for the rest of you negative, ignorant assholes- there is a warm place for you in hell. 😉
I think you people have deeper issues and really need to reflect on your comments….
WELL SAID TO “OMG Really?”-
“I have known him for a few years and he is a good guy going through average stuff. The same average stuff we go through and ours doesn’t get put out to the public for judgement. People should focus on Steve and his position in the county more and less on his personal life. Don’t judge Steve by his kid, or his disgruntled ex-coworkers. Judge Steve for the positive he has done. There is and will never be a way to please everyone and Steve knows that. So to Steve.. We wish you well.”
Steve is not stepping down for any reason having to do with not being able to do the job, can’t fight the marijuana legalization or any of the other imaginary reasons given below. He is stepping down because he is eligible for retirement, his ego does not require him to keep running and the constant criticism such as below gets real old, real fast. I would vote for Steve again in an instant.
Next, if you really want someone as unqualified as Ken Cheesemen for sheriff, go all out and push him. The reason some people want him is because certain power players in Lewis County know they can control him. You want bad law enforcement, go for Cheesemen.
Finally, John McCroskey did not resign in order to get Steve Mansfield into office as his designated replacement. He resigned in order to see either Joe Doench or Gordon Spansky appointed by a process of nomination by the Lewis County Republican Central Committee and appointed by the county commissioners. Steve went into the process in a distant third place and came out on top, much to the surprise of John McCroskey.
@Curious, as far as I know McCroskey didn’t leave for any specific reason. Often times the sitting Sheriff will leave office during his final term with the intention of allowing the county commission, or who ever is delegated by statute to choose an interim replacement. This usually occurs so that enough time remains before the next election to give the replacement the advantage of being the “incumbent” when the election comes around. It’s a political move. Often the out going Sheriff will put a “bug in the ear” of the selecting body, who it is that he wants to succeed him. If the outgoing Sheriff was well respected, more times than not that person miraculously comes out number 1 in the selection process. So, obviously, it’s a fair and unbiased process during which the most qualified candidate is the one selected…yeah, right. Look, Sheriff is an elected position. It goes to the guy who gets the most votes, not the best guy for the job, not the best educated, sharpest, best cop, best leader, most well rounded or most experienced law enforcement officer. In fact it generally goes to the guy who goes out into the county and can kiss the ass of the most movers and shakers and get their support ($$$$) come election time. Those are the same people who get a detective at their house when a tool box gets stolen from their garage, yet Joe Lunchbucket gets barely a second thought. His case gets tossed in the round file.
Mansfield wasn’t the best guy for the job and Sargent Snaza is far from the best replacement. He has the ego for it, but unfortunately ego only gets you so far. He has done a great job of kissing ass and he has his name in the paper every day for sure. But You also need to be a leader and a manager in that order. Besides, what this is really about is two brothers who are Sheriffs of adjoining counties. How big do their egos need to be? Really? Our Sheriff’s office has no shortage in leadership, but also no shortage of ego and self-aggrandizement. There needs to be another alternative, we deserve to be more than a stroke for someones over inflated vision of themselves. There are real leaders on the Sheriffs office. If the next Sheriff must come from within there are better choices. Sgts Fred Wetsel(?), Ken Cheeseman and Chief Stacy Brown come to mind. But in reality, we would be best served if the next Sheriff came from outside the department.
I have no issue with the line deputies, as far as I can tell they work their butts off. An awards ceremony is the least that they have earned. What they deserve is a boss who puts them before himself.
OMG really:
Don’t take it personal. Steve Mansfield just represents what many people in Lewis County have learned to loathe; inequality when it comes to police services, corruption, a shoot first ask questions later mentality, and a hostile attitude toward people who have mental health issues, not to mention a belligerent attitude towards people who legally use cannabis.
So, you’re right, it’s unfair to judge a person based solely on a few year’s worth of carrying the black flag for Lewis County.
There is a lot of negative on here about Steve. I have known him for a few years and he is a good guy going through average stuff. The same average stuff we go through and ours doesn’t get put out to the public for judgement. People should focus on Steve and his position in the county more and less on his personal life. Don’t judge Steve by his kid, or his disgruntled ex-coworkers. Judge Steve for the positive he has done. There is and will never be a way to please everyone and Steve knows that. So to Steve.. We wish you well.
I have not lived in Lewis county long.With Sherifff Mansfield I have seen the worst police service anywhere. Iam not a dirtbag druggie I am a x police officer and I stand behind every officer in this land and If was called I would be there.As for Deputy Snaza I think he is as bad.Do not vote for him he is just another POLITICIAN. WE NEED A POLICE OFFICER TO WORK FOR US. WE HAVE BETTER OFFICERS IN THE FIELD WORKING FOR YOU. Just give them a call because they are the ones making a difference. If you watch the papers, you wil see Snaza is just getting his name in there every chance he gets.You would get better response by calling the local dog catcher than calling either of them. We need a real officer as our Sheriff not another Politician.
Glad to see Mansfield go. I’m thinking he’s stepping down because of the War on Marijuana that he can’t win. In fact his own son Johnny Mansfield had pictures of himself holding a Marijuana Plant on Facebook….
Curious says:
Sunday, February 9, 2014 at 12:18 am
I can’t remember the events surrounding McCroskey’s stepping down. Can someone fill me in?
He retired on his own accord after many years of service and went into the private sector.
TO THE ONES “BITCHING” ABOUT THE SHERIFF- IF YOU THINK YOU CAN DO BETTER,THEN GET YOUR ASS OFF THE COUCH AND RUN FOR SHERIFF COME NEXT ELECTION TIME!! I WANT TO ALSO STATE THAT IM GLAD SUE SHANNON GOT AN AWARD…SHES A AWESOME COP!!!!
To clarify this Jerry Springer like moment, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office guild paid $10,000 alone for the memorial. This money comes from the deputy’s own pockets.
I can’t remember the events surrounding McCroskey’s stepping down. Can someone fill me in?
Troy. Although BobbyinLC made the point moot, I’d like you to ponder something. What is the cost of a statue vs. the cost of arresting, convicting,incarcerating and monitoring just one sex offender? A simple google search of your name tells me you need to save your outrage over the statue. Criminals cost taxpayers far more than cops (even crooked ones) ever will.
No More Bull: Once again here he is posting stuff he know nothing about. The no name Bull knows nothing about me or what happened on this matter he is talking about. Yes I was convicted of a crime I did not do and the supposed victim has admitted it to several people that he knows. But he failed to tell you that suppose victim in my case came back from Oregon and sexually assaulted a 8 year old girl here in Centralia. Once again this person is hiding behind a nickname because he knows that his posting is worth nothing. The so called wonderful young man he is talking about has wrecked many people lives including his own dad, step dad, caseworker, mine and was working on three other men when he came back from Oregon besides wrecking 8 year old girl. As for the police I have nothing against the police. Only one from CPD. The local police including Centralia, Chehalis, Sheriff department has been very fair with me in all contacts with them. As for the tax payers money I think paying for there job and retirement is enough. Every cop does not have to leave a mark on the county. Yes we needed a new jail at the time that Sheriff Logan had one built. But to add on to it NO. Oh just to set the wrecked straight I have a good chance to clear my name of all charges.
The fallen officer monument was not paid for with tax payer money. It was paid for by donations for the public and fund raisers. If you do not like the police or law enforcement I would have more respect if you guaranteed the rest of us you never have or will call 911 for a police response for anything!!!
And again….Troy, wtf? I wonder how many Taxpayers footed the bill for numerous states and charges brought against YOU! Why your name links to a site for legal advice, etc. I’ll never understand……how could someone who RUINED FOREVER the life of a wonderful young man have the ability to give others help or advice? I cand stand people like you. Your a sick disgusting wSte of spae and air……Once branded, it can never be undone, for you, and the young man who was just a child desperately seeking someone who would show him friendship and acceptance, without judging him…..you took advantage of an innocent! That can never be UNDONR ! No matter if you have become involved in the com unity, or whatever else you think gives you the right to b treated like a normal human being…..you will never b normal…..NEVER! Sick pig
Have you noticed that every time a sheriff leaves he has to leave a mark on the county some how. The last two had to build a new jail that is not even being used to its fullest. Now Mansfield had to put up a new statue for fallen officers. What is the next one going to do upon retirement. Soon we will run out of places to put this waste of money on the taxpayers. You would think that the court house is a museum instead of a law center. You can start with all of the old sheriffs working there…..
Good riddance.
Like teachers, these people have a thankless job. Didn’t like it when they cited me for seatbelt violation 3 mi from home and were flippant when we called in an all-weekend-long disturbance of the peace. But was relieved to turn a life-threatening incident down the road over to the deputy. So thank you–