John Urquhart (sheriff)

John Urquhart

John Urquhart, 2014
King County Sheriff
Assumed office
November 2012
Preceded by Steve Strachan
Personal details
Born November 10, 1947
Political party Democrat[1]
Spouse(s) Shelley
Children 2
Residence Mercer Island, Washington
Alma mater University of Washington
Occupation Law Enforcement Officer

John Urquhart (born November 10, 1947) is the 33rd Sheriff of King County, Washington.[2] As Sheriff, he serves as the chief county-level law enforcement official for 1.9 million people and oversees the 1000+ employees of the King County Sheriff's Office.[3]

Career

Urquhart grew up in Seattle, Washington. He attended Ingraham High School, graduating in 1967 as Class President.[2] He then attended the University of Washington, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in business in 1971.[4] He owned an electrical construction materials business, which he sold in 1988.

Urquhart's first job in law enforcement was as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for the Island County Sheriff's Department, serving from 1975-1980.[5] He then joined the King County Sheriff's Office as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff in 1980, eventually becoming in a full-time Deputy Sheriff in 1988.[6] During his 24 year career with the department, he served in a number of roles including: Field Training Officer, Narcotics Detective, Sergeant, Administrative Aide to the Sheriff, and Spokesman.[7][7] He retired in February 2012 and became President of the S.H.E.R.I.F.F. Fund.[7]

In late 2012, Urquhart decided to enter the race for King County Sheriff, a non-partisan elected office. He was elected as King County Sheriff in November 2012, defeating Republican Steve Strachan with 56 percent of the vote.[8][9] He immediately hired Anne Kirkpatrick, Chief of the Spokane Police Department, as his second in command.

References

  1. ↑ "One Question for King County Sheriff Candidate John Urquhart". Seattle Met. 2012-10-10. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  2. 1 2 Casey Mcnerthne (2012-11-28). "John Urquhart becomes King County sheriff". seattlepi.com. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  3. ↑ "Organization". Kingcounty.gov. 2013-03-28. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  4. ↑ "King County Sheriff - 2012 Voter Guide". C3.thevoterguide.org. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  5. ↑ Sullivan, Jennifer. "King County Sheriff's race: the new man vs. the longtime insider | Local News". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  6. ↑ Jean, Sara (2011-09-10). "Local News | Sheriff's spokesman is quitting department after 23 years | Seattle Times Newspaper". Seattletimes.com. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  7. 1 2 3 Watson, Kendall (2012-10-24). "Meet John Urquhart, Candidate for King County Sheriff - Government - Mercer Island, WA Patch". Mercerisland.patch.com. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  8. ↑ "John Urquhart Sworn In Today As New King County Sheriff | KUOW News and Information". Kuow.org. 2012-11-28. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  9. ↑ "INTERVIEW: John Urquhart Vows that he'll 'Do the Right Thing as the Sheriff' | The B-Town (Burien) Blog". B-townblog.com. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
Political offices
Preceded by
Steve Strachan		 King County Sheriff
2012-Present 		Incumbent
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