PORT ANGELES — Clallam County commissioners have declared four Glock 22 .40-caliber pistols as surplus property, clearing the way for their purchase by the same law enforcement officials who carried them on the job.
The 3-0 Tuesday vote gives four retired sheriff’s deputies the option of purchasing the sidearms at the manufacturer’s trade-in price.
“These are four sidearms that deputies carried for the duration of their career,” said Ron Cameron, chief criminal deputy, in a public hearing.
“All four deputies retired in good standing after long careers. . . . I believe all four have expressed an interest in these weapons.”
Commissioners last month approved a policy amendment that allows a commissioned deputy who retires in good standing the option of purchasing his or her career service handgun from the county.
Proceeds from the sales would go to the county general fund.
Undersheriff Ron Peregrin has said the policy ensures that the sidearm will remain in responsible hands.
“This is a two-stage process,” County Administrator Jim Jones said.
“This is the formal declaration of surplus. This is not the awarding to the deputies. That’s been done with a change in policy making that an option later.
“But first, we have to do the declaration of surplus property.”
No member of the public testified in the public hearing on the surplus pistols, nor was testimony offered in a second public hearing on debatable budget emergencies.
The county revises its budget with supplemental appropriations, budget reductions and debatable emergencies every quarter.
Commissioners opened their weekly business meeting with a proclamation recognizing Sunday as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
The March 30 observance, which was spearheaded by Port Angeles Army Vietnam veteran Norman Goodin in 2009 and proclaimed statewide by former Gov. Chris Gregoire in 2010, marks the anniversary of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam in 1973.
“This proclamation is the welcome home we didn’t get at the end of the war when we came back after our tours,” Goodin said.
“It was pretty bad, I can tell you that.”
Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day became a federal observance in 2011.
Goodin, who served in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968, received a standing ovation after accepting the county proclamation.
“What you started will continue,” board Chairman Mike Chapman told Goodin.
“I assume that future boards will gladly pass this proclamation every year in honor of all the Vietnam veterans.”
The annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony is set for 1 p.m. Sunday at the Clallam County Veterans Center, 216 S. Francis St.
There will be a coffee social for all veterans from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.