PORT HADLOCK — Jefferson County Undersheriff Tim Perry announced his retirement on Thursday, effective Feb. 28, citing a recent back injury.
Taking his place will be Tony Hernandez, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office community services director.
Sheriff Mike Brasfield announced a realignment of responsibilities in the office.
Until February, when he assumes the position of undersheriff, Hernandez will hold the title of chief criminal deputy.
He will be responsible for the day-to-day command of all uniformed patrol functions, as well as criminal investigations, traffic enforcement and community services.
“This will give us a few months to kind of transition,” Brasfield said.
“I’m very confident that he’ll be seen as a leader in the rank-and-file.”
Once Hernandez becomes the undersheriff, someone in-house will take his former position as community services director, Brasfield said.
Perry will assume responsibilities of special projects and other administrative duties until his retirement.
“I’m basically his mentor,” Perry said of Hernandez.
A factor fueling Perry’s decision to retire, he said, was a recent back injury that led to surgery two weeks ago to have three vertebrae discs removed.
“I decided it’s time for me to retire, the 68-year-old Perry said.
“I’ve been around a long, long time.”
He’s had 35 years experience in law enforcement, with the past three years as the Jefferson County undersheriff.
He’s worked as a detective for the Seattle Police Department and was chief of the Clyde Hill Police Department.
He retired from active law enforcement duty once before, in 1989.
That’s when Perry took a teaching job in the criminal justice program at Shoreline Community College in Seattle. After his retirement from the college, he joined the sheriff’s office.
Perry said the main challenge facing the county regarding law enforcement is resources.
Last year, Brasfield requested two additional deputies in the budget.
He was denied.
“Right now, we’re down at least two, probably four, deputies,” Perry said.
“Personnel-wise, we’re hurting.”
Hernandez joins in 2001
Hernandez has been with the sheriff’s office since 2001, and has been employed in law enforcement since 1997.
He previously worked in the U.S. Marshals Service and as a federal police officer.
Hernandez graduated from University of Washington in 1995 and from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy last year.
He’s completing work on a master’s degree from Chapman University, which is based in Orange, Calif., but which has several campuses in Washington state, including Whidbey Island.
“Hernandez is very strong, administratively,” Perry said.
“I think he’s going to do a great job.”
Hernandez was unavailable for comment on Thursday.
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Reporter Evan Cael can be reached at 360-385-2335 or evan.cael@peninsuladailynews.com.
