Battle Ground resident Ed Owens was a Clark County sheriff’s deputy for seven years. Now, he wants to be sheriff.
The veteran law enforcement officer recently announced his candidacy for the top spot in the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and he will kickoff his campaign at an event Tues., April 22, from 6-9 p.m. at the Barberton Grange, 9400 NE 72nd Ave., Vancouver.
“I want to be that change in my community,’’ said Owens, who becomes the fourth person to announce his candidacy for sheriff. “My entire career has prepared me for this.’’
In addition to Owens, Clark County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Shane Gardner and two retired sheriff’s office commanders – John Graser and Chuck Atkins – have also announced their intention to run for the position. Sheriff Garry Lucas has not announced whether or not he will run for re-election. The filing period for the upcoming election is May 12-16.
The 44-year-old Owens worked in the Clark County Sheriff’s Office until he was fired in November 2011 following the tragic death of his son Ryan. The 3-year-old fatally shot himself in the Owens’ Battle Ground home with a pistol he was able to retrieve from a gun safe located in the home.
Owens has three lawsuits pending against Clark County, one for wrongful termination, another is a public records case and the third is a personal injury and wrongful death case. Owens claims the county was negligent because he was issued the gun safe that was mandated for use in his home.
“None of these lawsuits would have been necessary if the sheriff’s office would have followed the law and was willing to do the right thing,’’ said Owens, who indicated his personal experiences were a catalyst in his decision to run for sheriff.
Since his departure from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Owens said he has spent considerable time and his own resources on a piece of legislation known as the Eddie Ryan Public Safety Act that would establish minimum standards for gun safety devices in the United States.
“There are no minimum safety standards for gun safety devices in the United States; we learned that after Ryan died,’’ said Owens, who indicated his efforts show “the type of passion I would bring as the sheriff.’’
Owens’ career in law enforcement began in 1988 when he entered the United States Air Force and graduated from the Security Police Academy. He served six years of active duty before a transition to the Air Force Reserves in 1994.
Owens joined the Lacey Police Department in 1997 and in 1999 was hired to lead the WSU Vancouver Department of Public Safety. In 2004, Owens joined the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Owens said his campaign for sheriff will focus on five issues – safety, transparency, accountability, community focus and social and fiscal responsibility.
“The public has a seat at the table along with the sheriff’s office,’’ Owens explained. “The sheriff’s office works for the citizens. Our job is to meet their needs, to respond and serve their interests. If we are going to do that well, we also have to have them involved in the process.
“I would have citizens involved in hiring,’’ Owens added. “I would have citizens involved in creating policy. I would have citizens involved in incident reviews. Those are things that allow us to be accountable to the citizens. If we are doing those things well and working with the citizens, we are being transparent and accountable.’’
Owens said he has a deep commitment to serving the community.
“I’m very community focused,’’ he said. “This community is my home. I’m active in the community. I believe in being engaged. I very much have a community focus, that’s how I interact with people.’’
For more information on Owens’ law enforcement career and his candidacy for sheriff, visit www.EdOwens4Sheriff.com.
“I really have done almost everything imaginable in law enforcement,’’ Owens said. “I have executive level experience running a police department.’’
Editor’s note – The Reflector will follow with profiles of the other candidates for Clark County sheriff in coming weeks.
