PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County Sheriff Tony Hernandez has announced his resignation effective at noon Aug. 29 to become the Milton police chief.
Hernandez announced his resignation during the public comment portion of the Jefferson County commissioners Monday meeting.
Hernandez was introduced to the public on Saturday at Milton Days, the yearly community celebration for the town of 7,000 residents located about eight miles east of Tacoma, said Mark Langford, Milton’s interim city manager.
Hernandez will divide his time between Milton and Jefferson County in the next two weeks, but will not draw a salary in Jefferson County during that time, According to Jefferson County Administrator Philip Morley
Hernandez did not respond to requests for comment.
As sheriff, Hernandez earns $85,015 per year and supervises a 55-member department that includes 20 patrol deputies.
In Milton, he will earn $95,000 a year and supervise 14 people, all commissioned except for one administrative assistant.
Hernandez, 42, has worked for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office since 2001. Sheriff Mike Brasfield promoted him to undersheriff in 2007.
Hernandez was elected in 2010 to a four-year term as sheriff after being appointed in 2009 to fill the unexpired term of Brasfield, who retired.
He declined to run for re-election this year.
Since Hernandez ran as a Democrat, the county party leadership is charged with naming three possible candidates to serve the remainder of Hernandez’ term, which ends on Dec. 31.
Wendy Davis and David Stanko, both Democrats, are running for the office but neither would be considered as candidates for the interim position, according to party chairman George Yount.
The winner of the Nov. 4 general election will be sworn in as sheriff when the election is certified on Nov. 25, according to the Jefferson County Auditor.
