Washington County Sheriff's Office

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office will join local and national law enforcement officers and highway safety advocates all across Utah and the country for the 2013 national Click It or Ticket seatbelt enforcement mobilization, May 20-June 2. Continue reading →

As the school year comes to an end, The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public to recreate responsibly and follow the established laws related to OHV operation. A commonly overlooked law is the requirement to possess a valid driver’s license and/or OHV safety certificate in order to operate an OHV on public lands. Operators must be over the age of eight and have a current safety certificate or valid driver’s license. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to educating the public in the safe and legal operation of OHV’s. Our mission is to reduce injuries and fatalities through education. Continue reading →

Each Spring and Fall the Washington County Sheriff’s Office participates in physical testing (PT) to verify and validate the ability of the staff to perform the functions of the job. The testing process includes a bench press, vertical jump, sit ups, push ups, and a 1.5 mile run. Each of these components is designed to test a specific area of physical ability, and is a requirement for those who wish to promote within the organization. During the month of April the Sheriff’s Office had over 100 deputies and civilian staff participate in the physical testing process. Participants this year included members of our clerical staff, nursing staff, as well as participants from the explorer program. Continue reading →

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office and St. George Police Department will be sponsoring the first annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge in St. George. The event will take place on February 9, 2013 at the St. George City Pool, with registration at 9:00AM and the Plunge at 10:00AM. Continue reading →

My fellow Sheriffs and I have prepared the following letter for the President.

UTAH SHERIFFS’ ASSOCIATION

P.O. Box 787
East Carbon City, Utah 84520
(435) 888-2004
Fax: (435) 888-0842

7 January 2013

The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama:

We, the elected sheriffs of Utah, like so many of our fellow Americans, are literally
heartbroken for the loved ones of the murdered victims in Connecticut. As Utahans, we are
not strangers to this kind of carnage—-one of the latest being the 2007 Trolley Square murders
wherein nine innocents were gunned down-five losing their lives.

We also recognize the scores of other recent domestic massacres, which have decimated
countless honorable lives. As Americans, we value the sanctity of life. Furthermore, similar to
our inspired Founders, we acknowledge our subservience to a higher power.

With the number of mass shootings America has endured, it is easy to demonize firearms; it is
also foolish and prejudiced. Firearms are nothing more than instruments, valuable and
potentially dangerous, but instruments nonetheless. Malevolent souls, like the criminals who
commit mass murders, will always exploit valuable instruments in the pursuit of evil. As
professional peace officers, if we understand nothing else, we understand this: lawful violence
must sometimes be employed to deter and stop criminal violence. Consequently, the citizenry
must continue its ability to keep and bear arms, including arms that adequately protect them
from all types of illegality.

As your administration and Congress continue to grapple with the complex issue of firearm
regulations, we pray that the Almighty will guide the People’s Representatives collectively.
For that reason, it is imperative this discussion be had in Congress, not silenced unilaterally
by executive orders. As you deliberate, please remember the Founders of this great nation
created the Constitution, and its accompanying Bill of Rights, in an effort to protect citizens
from all forms of tyrannical subjugation.

We respect the Office of the President of the United States of America. But, make no mistake,
as the duly-elected sheriffs of our respective counties, we will enforce the rights guaranteed to
our citizens by the Constitution. No federal official will be permitted to descend upon our
constituents and take from them what the Bill of Rights-in particular Amendment II-has
given them. We, like you, swore a solemn oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the
United States, and we are prepared to trade our lives for the preservation of its traditional
interpretation.

The Utah Sheriffs’ Association

On December 19, 2012 The Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist in locating a stranded vehicle and two passengers located on the Shoal Creek Road, south of the Enterprise Reservoir. Continue reading →

On December 13th, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office held their annual awards banquet at the Washington County Fairgrounds. The Sheriff’s Office had many outstanding performers this year, and a select few were honored during this banquet. Continue reading →

On November 9th inmates from Purgatory Correctional Facility planted over 20 rose bushes and trees, and installed a drip irrigation system at the Children’s Justice Center in St George. Six inmates overcame hard ground and rainy weather which made conditions challenging for the crew while installing the plants. Even though the task was relatively difficult, they succeeded in giving the roses the best chance to survive. Continue reading →

Washington County is seeking applicants for appointment as Washington County Constables. Those appointed would serve a four-year term with duties that may include: serving warrants, writs, and other civil process as independent contractors. Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and references to the Washington County Commission Office, 197 E. Tabernacle, St. George, UT 84770, by December 10th. Questions may be directed to County Administrator Dean Cox at 435-634-5700.

On the evening of November 19, 2012 officers arrested a female suspect. As an officer attempted to remove the female from his vehicle at the jail, the suspect displayed a weapon and was able to steal a police vehicle. She led officers from multiple agencies on a high speed pursuit. Spikes were deployed and the pursuit eventually terminated in Hurricane. At the end of the pursuit there was an armed confrontation between the suspect and officers. One deputy fired their weapon and struck the suspect, ending the stand off.

The Washington County Critical Incident Task Force has been called out to investigate the incident. All inquires should be directed to the Washington County Attorney’s Office.