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Okanogan County Sheriff’s Deputy Gisberth Gonzalez is running as the next Sheriff of Okanogan County, Undersheriff Dave Yarnell confirmed on Tuesday.
Okanogan County Chief Criminal Deputy Jodie Barcus announced her candidacy in February.
The following letter was posted on Facebook on behalf of Gonzalez while Gonzalez establishes his social media accounts. News outlets are referencing the letter below, the entirety of which is printed here.
Hello,
My name is Gisberth Gonzalez and I am officially announcing my candidacy run for the position of Okanogan County Sheriff.
I was born and raised in Guatemala where I lived with my father, mother, two brothers and one sister. My parents migrated to the United States in the mid 90’s while me and my siblings stayed behind. During that time, I joined the Guatemalan Army as a reserve soldier. During my time as such I did my duties honorably. I also married my wife of 25 years Belsi Gonzalez.
My parents eventually brought me and my three siblings to the United States. I was 19 years old at that time. I have since then become a United States citizen. Belsi and I settled in Wenatchee, Washington where I worked as a farm hand and eventually worked for the parks department for the City of Wenatchee. During this time, we had our first child named Gisberth (Jr.).
In 2007, I tested for a corrections officer position at the Okanogan County Jail and was hired that same year. Belsi and I moved to Okanogan with our child where we still live in the same house today. Four months later I applied for and was hired to be a field deputy for the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office where I continue to work in that capacity to this day.
During the time I have worked as a field deputy we had two more children named Yossi and Jerick. All three have been enrolled in the Okanogan School District since we moved to Okanogan. As of today, Jr. is enrolled in WSU while Yosi is at Eastern. Jerick is still enrolled in the Okanogan Middle School.
Sheriff Frank Rogers hired me in 2007. Since that time, I have worked in every geographical area of Okanogan County and know it well. I have taken on many roles for the sheriff’s office during my time there to include but not limited to being on SRT “Special Response Team” as well as being a Field Training Officer. I am currently Lieutenant Colonel for the “Christian Chaplain Unity U.S.A.” and the national director for the same organization. In this capacity I have represented Okanogan County at the international level and have been proud to do so. I have had an excellent career track record while working for the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office with an impeccable personnel file.
I have also recently worked in the Okanogan County Jail in support of the jail staying open and functioning due to low staffing levels. I work both jobs while juggling my family life successfully.
I have coached kids soccer for the River Valley Soccer Club for many, many years. I have met and know a large portion of our local youth and continue to work with them. I have worked well in the community with all that I have served and continue to serve as a deputy. I have bridged a lot of gaps between the Hispanic community and local law enforcement within and outside of Okanogan County as well. I have the support of a lot of people including the Hispanic community within Okanogan County as I run for sheriff. I pride myself on being able to bring all ethnic groups together within Okanogan County to problem solve and come up with solutions to community needs as your next elected sheriff.
My goal as your elected sheriff is to reinstate “leadership” and “leadership principles” in all levels and divisions within the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office. I want to implement the “Servant Leadership” style. This means that as your sheriff I am there to serve the men and women of the agency as well as the public. I work for you not you for me. I believe that the sheriff’s office needs to get back to a place where we are truly trusted and transparent. I also believe that as an agency we need to fulfill our core principals of “Integrity, Vigilance and Teamwork.” It should mean more than words on the side of a police vehicle. We need to live by those principles and values. At the end of the day MORALS AND ETHICS MATTER! We in law enforcement need to maintain the highest of both. I am asking for your vote to be your next Okanogan County Sheriff.
Thank you,
Gisberth Gonzalez
