Former Clallam County Sheriff Joe Hawe – noted as much for his political talents as for his policing skills – is one of three finalists for the positions of United States marshal for western Washington.
The office of U.S. Rep Norm Dicks, D-Belfair, confirmed Thursday that Hawe was under consideration.
The nomination of the finalists, however, came from U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert of Mercer Island and King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng, both Republicans.
“It would be an honor for Joe,” said Clallam County Commissioner Steve Tharinger, D-Dungeness, when told the White House was considering Hawe for a federal marshal’s position.
“I guess that’s pretty exciting.”
Hawe, a county Citizen of the Year in 1989 who moved to Lacey in 2003, could not be reached for comment about the marshal’s job, which would place him in charge of about 75 employees.
Also under consideration for the post – one of 94 federal marshal positions across the country – are Snohomish County Sheriff Rick Bart and Kirkland Police Chief Stan Aston.
Federal marshals are appointed by the President.
Reichert’s office said it was unclear when the appointment would be made.
Hawe, in his late 50s now, served as the Clallam County sheriff from 1990 to 2003, when he resigned to take a post with the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs in Olympia.
The organization, better known by its acronym, WASPiC, lobbies the Legislature on behalf of law enforcement and certifies police and sheriff’s agencies.
Hawe’s resignation came less than a year after his re-election to a fourth term as sheriff.
During the campaign, he pledged, “I’ll be the sheriff until they [voters] decide they don’t want me as sheriff.”
Then-Undersheriff Joe Martin was appointed to fill Hawes’ job and was elected in 2004 to serve Hawe’s unexpired term.
Martin lost the office to then-sheriff-s Sgt. Bill Benedict in the election that ended Nov. 7.
