Clark County Sheriff’s Office reserve deputies hold final meeting

FAIRGROUNDS — The Clark County Sheriff’s Office reserve deputies held their final meeting on June 28 at the West Precinct. Sheriff Chuck Atkins ended the program that since 1952 has helped deputies with everything from special events staffing to basic patrol and traffic enforcement. Twelve of the 14 reserve deputies attended the meeting, and former Sheriff Garry Lucas also visited to honor the nearly 70-year-old program. Reserve deputies were commissioned and sworn officers, with full enforcement powers equal to those of a full-time deputy sheriff, according to the county’s website. “They provided most of the law enforcement officers for the county’s special events, including the annual parades in Hazel Dell, Hockinson, Amboy and Yacolt,” according to a statement provided by former member Robert Byrd, who served in the unit for 10 years and has since applied to be a reserve deputy at the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office. “The reserves also supported youth programs across the county, including the Police Activities League and school reading events.” According to previous reports, Atkins’ decision was made as a result of police reform requirements.