Walla Walla in shock after commissioner dies in Burbank hours before being sworn in to office

A Walla Walla County commissioner died unexpectedly Thursday after becoming ill at his Burbank home.

James “Jim” L Duncan, 49, represented the district covering western Walla Walla County and the city of College Place on the three-member board of commissioners.

Duncan’s wife, Esther, called 911 and began CPR until medics from Walla Walla County Fire District 5 could arrive.

Duncan, a Republican, first ran for office in 2014 when Commissioner Greg Tompkins said he would not seek another term.

Duncan had worked as the county’s Emergency Management director before being elected.

He ran unopposed for a second term on Nov. 6. He was scheduled to be sworn in Thursday afternoon along with several other county officials.

“We have lost someone who is a friend as well as a fellow commissioner. Our hearts go out to Jim’s wife and family, and to Jim’s county family,” Commissioners Jim Johnson and Todd Kimball said in a statement.

No other information was released.

This story was originally published December 27, 2018 at 2:07 PM.