Ex-Benton County captain considers run to unseat troubled sheriff

Embattled Benton County Sheriff Jerry Hatcher is starting to attract challengers — nearly two years before he’s up for re-election.

John Hodge, a former Benton County deputy and jail captain, believes he is the best person for the job and already is forming an exploratory committee for a possible 2022 campaign.

“I want to get out and talk to some folks over and above who I’ve already talked to, to see if there is some support for a run for sheriff,” Hodge, 71, told the Tri-City Herald last week. “I’ve done virtually everything you can do at the sheriff’s office.”

Hodge spent 27 years with the agency, starting as a reserve officer in the late 1970s and becoming full-time about 1979.

Over his career he worked as a patrol officer and then detective before holding command positions, including head of the patrol division, the detectives and eventually the jail.

Though he retired from the sheriff’s office nearly 15 years ago, Hodge still knows many current employees. And it’s from those conversations he feels a need to return.

“Once you’re involved in law enforcement, it’s kind of like being involved in a family,” Hodge said. “After (Sheriff Steve Keane) retired, things started to go downhill.”

Hatcher was appointed to fill Keane’s position in May 2017 and he’s been re-elected since.

As an elected official, Hatcher can only be removed from office in a county election or through a recall effort. He also can step down voluntarily before his term is up at the end of 2022.

Hatcher’s troubles

But his management of the office and his troubles in his personal life have become very public.

Most recently, a sheriff’s department sergeant has filed a recall petition, alleging Hatcher has intimidated witnesses and public servants in investigations, retaliated against them, tampered with physical evidence and violated his oath of office.

The officer — backed by nearly the entire membership of the deputies guild — accused Hatcher of committing illegal acts, including possessing almost 14,000 rounds of county-owned ammunition at his Kennewick home.

A judge has said signatures can be collected to put the issue to voters. Hatcher is appealing the recall issue to the state Supreme Court.

The effort to remove him is also backed by all three Benton County commissioners.

Late last year, the commissioners were so concerned about his management of jail operations they removed the jail from his control. It no longer is part of the sheriff’s department but Hatcher controls the patrol division.

And last week, the county formally asked the state Attorney General’s Office and the Washington State Patrol to investigate for possible criminal charges in connection with the ammunition.

Hatcher’s troubles also include his wife accusing him of domestic violence in a request for a protection order after she filed for divorce. Those allegations have involved separate investigations.

Hodge said any other deputy would be fired if they had this combination of issues.

He recalled one corrections officer who was fired for taking a pair of handcuffs worth $40-$50 and a shirt.

“He was fired and he was prosecuted,” Hodge said. “Now we’re looking at an elected official with a felony amount of county property, and basically poo pooing it. That is a double standard that should not exist.”

When this was combined with reports of deputies and sheriff’s employees being “publicly ridiculed,” Hodge took a more serious look at running.

Hodge said he spoke with Hatcher about his concerns, and told him that he still had an opportunity to walk away with dignity from the situation.

He believes the sheriff is damaging the department’s reputation and morale, and employees are struggling to do their jobs in a toxic atmosphere.

Repairing the office

Hodge believes he can repair those broken relationships. But he said he knows it’s going to take time to rebuild trust within the department.

“I know I have the skills,” he said. “I’ve done virtually every job in the sheriff’s office. I know the job. I know the sheriff’s office. I know the way it runs.”

The sheriff needs to be part of a team along with other officials, said Hodge, who also is a Republican.

While he turned in his commission when he retired, Hodge still goes out with the Fraternal Order of Police every year and participates in their firearm qualification for retired officers.

“I don’t know if I want to go out and wrestle five bad guys, but I’m in reasonably good shape. I’m in reasonably good health,” he said. “The sheriff’s job is not to necessarily go out and be the first person at every response. The sheriff’s job is to run an agency that serves the employees and the people of the county.”