By Pepper Fisher
SEQUIM – Sequim Police Chief Sheri Crain received a warm send-off at Monday’s City Council meeting, as she heads into retirement after serving on the Sequim police force for 33 years.
Crain’s last day is Thursday.
Crain was hired as an officer in 1991, served as an officer and a detective, was promoted to Sergeant, Lieutenant, Deputy Chief, and ultimately Chief of Police in 2016. She spoke a few words at Monday’s meeting.
“From 1991, being a very young, naive, completely in-over-her-head police officer, to where we’re standing today, I can’t tell you how proud I am to have worked for the City of Sequim this entire time. This city has developed into, just a jewel. The people, I mean, that’s what you’re going to miss when you leave. And I’ve had a lot of cool experiences in my life. I have had a lot of experiences I could have lived without. But I am quite proud to have worked here, and I want to thank you all for recognizing me today. So, thank you.”
Sheriff Brian King and Port Angeles Police Chief Brian Smith said a few words about working with Chief Crain over the years and presented her with plaques to show their appreciation.
Also speaking that night was Port Angeles deputy Chief Jason Viada, who told a story from 25 years ago when Crain had just made Detective. He said a Port Angeles man had come to Sequim and stolen a bunch of VCRs. Detective Crain had traced the criminal to Port Angeles and came to town to arrest him.
“And I happen to be the guy that was working that night, that got to help her find this guy. And we picked him up and got him down to the interview room and…you’re looking like you don’t remember this. Don’t don’t pretend that you don’t remember this. Anyway, it’s only been 25 years. Come on. And so, and what I did to Sheri is, I started kind of a good cop/bad cop routine. But I painted myself as a good cop, and she had no choice but to pretend to be the bad cop. And as if, anybody who knows Sheri, this is the one and only time that she’s ever been in this situation. And she did the best she could with it. But anyway, the crime was solved and everything’s okay, and she’s not really that bad. Okay. Thank you for listening.”
Chief Crain’s Deputy Chief, Mike Hill, will take the helm at the Sequim Police Department, effective immediately.
(L-R; Chief Crain, Chief Smith, Deputy Chief Viada. Photo courtesy of Barb Hanna.)