PORT HADLOCK — Mike Brasfield, Jefferson County sheriff for six years, is turning in his badge.
Brasfield, a Democrat who began his second four-year term in the partisan, elected office in January 2007, announced on Friday that he will resign effective March 27, ending a 41-year career in law enforcement.
“Serving as Jefferson County’s sheriff has been a way to actively participate in my adopted community, and I have been honored and privileged to serve.” Brasfield, who turned 65 in December, said in a prepared statement.
“I am proud of what the men and women of the organization have achieved over the last six years. However, it is time to step back and allow others to assume command.
“It is time for me to retire and more thoroughly enjoy my life and family.”
Brasfield had spoken privately about the retirement to fellow elected officials, Sheriff’s Office employees and family and friends since November, he said.
“I wanted to make sure that an early retirement wouldn’t cost the county money,” Brasfield said on Saturday.
“I was told the elections were already taking place, so it worked out.”
The three Jefferson County commissioners will appoint a temporary replacement to take command of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
They have 60 days from the effective date of Brasfield’s retirement to select an interim sheriff, Karen Cartmel, chief deputy auditor/elections supervisor, said Friday.
The Jefferson County Democratic Party will be responsible for submitting three names of Democrats they recommend to fill Brasfield’s post.
Undersheriff Anthony “Tony” Hernandez, 39, said on Friday he expected to be named as one of the possible replacements for Brasfield.
“I want to do what is best for the community and for the sheriff’s office,” said Hernandez, a Democrat.
He said he would consider running for the office.
“I have been in contact with several people in the community to discuss the possibility of me running,” he said.
Election
The filing period for candidacy for sheriff will be June 1-5. Papers are to be filed with the Auditor’s Office in the county courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.
If more than two candidates file, an Aug. 18 primary election will be set, Cartmel said.
If only two candidates file, the race automatically goes to the Nov. 3 general election, Cartmel said, citing the state’s top-two primary law.
Brasfield has retired three times before.
“I’ve been in this business for 41 years, and it feels like it’s a good time to leave,” he said.
“My wife and I are both looking at trans-Atlantic cruises and lodging in western Europe right now.”
He said his decision has nothing to do with stepped-up Border Patrol activity, or his position on how local law enforcement should deal with the federal agency.
“People might think that, but it’s not,” he said.
“In my career I’ve dealt with everything from officer fatalities to multiple homicides to extreme budget issues.
“The Border Patrol issue is so minimal in my eyes that it isn’t even a minor event in my career.”
The sheriff turned down an opportunity to apply for federal money being offered from the Department of Homeland Security through the Border Patrol because felt the program would require his agency to work too closely with Border Patrol agents.
Brasfield, a University of Washington graduate, began his police career more than 41 years ago as a patrol officer in Mercer Island in 1968.
A year later he joined the Seattle Police Department and served in a wide range of assignments. When he retired from Seattle in 1995, he was serving as executive assistant chief, the second-highest position in the agency at the time.
Upon his first retirement in 1995, Brasfield managed to stay retired for six months, but was soon recruited to become the police chief in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he served for more than six years.
After retiring again, Brasfield moved to Port Ludlow in the fall of 2001.
In the late summer of 2002, Brasfield chose to re-enter law enforcement by running for sheriff.
He was elected to his first term as sheriff and took office on Jan. 1, 2003. He was re-elected in the fall of 2006, and began his second term on Jan. 2, of 2007.
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Jefferson County reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
