PORT ANGELES — Detective Jim McLaughlin has retired after 13 years of service with the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
His career with the sheriff’s office “has been marked by a deep and abiding dedication to public safety, ethical service with humility and compassion, and excellence in day-to-day performance,” Sheriff Bill Benedict said in a news release.
McLaughlin started with the sheriff’s office as a part-time corrections deputy in 2003 and moved into patrol a year later.
After seven years as a patrol deputy, McLaughlin was transferred into the detective unit, where he spent the last five years of his career investigating homicides, major assaults and missing persons.
As a detective and until retirement, he served as the liaison for the sheriff’s office Cold Case Team. He also served as the Search and Rescue coordinator for many years.
During his career, McLaughlin received two commendation awards, a meritorious unit citation and a meritorious service award with valor.
Prior to joining the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, he served four years in the Marine Corps before joining the Coast Guard.
He served as seismic boat captain for two years and spent the next 19 years as a rescue swimmer, during which time he saved 46 lives, the sheriff’s office said.
