PORT HADLOCK — Jefferson County commissioners are expected to name an interim sheriff Monday after they interview three applicants.
Among the three is Undersheriff Anthony “Tony” Hernandez, the Jefferson County Democratic Central Committee’s top choice to succeed retiring Sheriff Mike Brasfield.
Brasfield’s last day in office is Friday.
Hernandez, 39, told the Democrats that he would run for the partisan position in the Nov. 3 general election if he is appointed Monday.
If three candidates announce for the sheriff’s position, then voters would face an Aug. 18 primary election.
Party’s choice
Jefferson County Democrats chose Hernandez as their top choice to replace Democrat Brasfield after a round of interviews Monday night.
Retired California police officer David Stanko and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Detective Joe Nole were also listed as candidates.
The county commissioners — also Democrats — will conduct the interviews at 10:30 a.m. Monday in their chambers at Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St. , Port Townsend.
They will go into closed executive session to discuss an appointment at 11:15 a.m., and announce their choice at 11:30 a.m., according to their agenda schedule.
Brasfield’s current term as sheriff runs through next year.
“Yes, I’ve officially declared,” Hernandez said Friday.
“I declared the night of the interview with the Democratic Party.
“If I get the appointment then, yes, I’m running in the election.
“If I don’t get the appointment, then I’m not running.”
Best choice
After Brasfield announced his retirement, Hernandez said he was interested in the job only if he would be the best choice.
“I want to do what is best for the community and for the Sheriff’s Office,” Hernandez said.
The Democratic Central Committee of party chairman Matt Sircely, Ray Hunter, Connie Gallant, David Tonkin, Gloria Bram, Bill Miller and Gene Brandon questioned the candidates last Monday on issues including increased Border Patrol activity, drug problems and fireworks.
Hernandez has worked in law enforcement for 15 years, and Brasfield promoted him to undersheriff in 2007.
Hernandez served as chief criminal deputy in 2006 and as director of community policing and code enforcement coordinator in 2005 and 2006.
He served as a sheriff’s deputy from 2001 to 2005.
Before coming to Jefferson County he served during 2000 and 2001 as a secure crisis residential counselor and detention officer for runaway youths in Kitsap County.
He was a police officer for the Department of Defense in 1999 and 2000 and a Bremerton reserve police officer from 1997 to 1999.
He was a data analyst for the U.S. Marshals Service from 1996 to 1999.
He has attended the FBI National Academy and the state Criminal Justice Academy.
Retired policeman
Stanko has been retired from the Fullerton, Calif., Police Department since 2004, serving there since 1977.
He served as watch commander from 1998 to 2004, and was community service manager for the police chief’s offices from 1995 to 1997.
He also served as personnel training manager, support services division from 1995 to 1997.
He also supervised the K-9 detail, patrol personnel and was a team leader for the Crisis Negotiation Unit.
Nole has worked for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office since 1993.
He was assigned to investigations in 1995 and has since held the detective position.
From 1990 to 1993, he served as a reserve deputy and was a security police officer for Naval Magazine Indian Island.
From 1984 to 1990, he served as a law enforcement officer for the U.S. Forest Service in Quilcene.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
