PORT ANGELES — One of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office’s most decorated deputies to have ever served will retire today.
Sheriff’s Deputy Ralph Edgington will retire on the anniversary of 30 years of public service to the citizens and visitors of Clallam County, Chief Deputy Brian King said in a news release.
Sheriff Bill Benedict and the Clallam County commissioners will recognize Edgington for his service at 10 a.m. Jan. 23 in the commissioners’ meeting room (Room 160) at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles. The public is invited.
Edgington was commissioned as a deputy Jan. 1, 1988, by then Sheriff Steve Kernes. He lived in Forks and patrolled West End communities until 1999, when he was transferred to Sequim where he has served until today.
During his 30 years of service, Edgington was awarded the department’s highest achievement, the Medal of Valor, on two occasions.
In 2000, he received the Medal of Valor from Sheriff Joe Hawe for his efforts in the recovery of the body of Deputy Wally Davis who was killed in the line of duty Aug. 5 of that year.
Edgington again was awarded the Medal of Valor in 2004 for heroism in responding to the residence of an individual who had stabbed another person, critically injuring the victim, according to King.
“The suspect, armed himself with a shotgun, fired upon Deputy Edgington and a fellow deputy. The deputies returned fire, disabled and disarmed the suspect,” King said.
Edgington also has been awarded six Meritorious Service Awards, a Meritorious Unit Citation and five Commendations for exemplary service.
He was the 1992 DUI Task Force Officer of the Year and was recognized in 2007 by the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission for excellence in service.
“He has received countless letters of recognition and appreciation for a job well done,” King said.
Edgington served for many years as a field training officer, having taught and mentored many deputies who serve today.
In 2007, he was appointed to the position of lead deputy, assuming the administrative duties and oversight of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office’s Marine Unit.
As the “Admiral” of the fleet, he conducted thousands of safety inspections. In 2009, the team was recognized as the state of Washington Marine Law Enforcement Program of the Year.
“Sheriff Benedict and the men and women of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office thank Ralph for his selflessness, professionalism and sense of duty during his 30 years of service,” King said in the release.
“He will be greatly missed.”
