By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
The 38th sheriff of Lewis County was sworn in yesterday, although his term won’t begin until after the clock strikes midnight tonight.
Sheriff-elect Rob Snaza was among eight elected county officials who took part in the ceremony in the Historic Courthouse in Chehalis, administered by Lewis County Superior Court Judge Richard Brosey.
Sheriff-elect Rob Snaza
His twin brother, Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza was among those observing from the filled benches.
Also attending was the new undersheriff, Capt. Wes Rethwill, who retires from the Washington State Patrol today.
The sheriff-elect has known him some 20 years. Thurston Sheriff Snaza said he used to work for Rethwill, when Rethwill headed up a countywide drug task force.
Sheriff-elect Snaza has also said he’s chosen Deputy Bruce Kimsey, to serve as his chief criminal deputy. Current Chief Criminal Deputy Gene Seiber will be doing something else in the office, Snaza has said.
Snaza, a Napavine area Republican, has said among his priorities are rooting out career criminals, continuing to run a no-frills jail and partnering with schools.
During some 20 years with the sheriff’s office, the now 49-year-old longtime sergeant has been SWAT leader and also supervisor of the Lewis County Regional Crime Task Force.
Sheriff Steve Mansfield
He announced his candidacy in the spring of last year, and not long afterward, was made spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, for a few months. Less than a month after he swept the August primary election, he was promoted to undersheriff.
Outgoing Sheriff Steve Mansfield was in the audience as well, and said he’d already cleaned out his office. He indicated he felt his successor was well-prepared to fill the new role.
Mansfield said he figured “they’d” probably come and get his car today, or maybe he’d drive it in, he said.
After two-plus terms as sheriff, the Winlock resident will soon step into a familiar role.
The three-member board of county commissioners yesterday selected Mansfield to manage the Department of Emergency Management.
The responsibility for the function has been with the sheriff’s office for more than a decade, and now is being handed back over to the commissioners.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
How about that! Mansfield picks his successor and the commissioners create a plum retirement gig for him. But I don’t believe in conspiracies:)
At least we got rid of Gene Sieber. He should have retired long ago. He suborned justice in the case of the young man stabbed nearly to death up here in packwood. No charges for the stabber who’s grandfather and uncle are cops. Not the first time this guy protected people that should have been in jail.
I thought the new sheriff would be lewis county business as usual but perhaps there is hope for equal application of justice.