In a ceremony that officially stamped the voice of the electorate, Caprice Massey was inaugurated as Washington County’s new sheriff yesterday. Presiding Judge Rebecca Guptill administered the oath of office, ushering in Massey as the 33rd individual to don the badge in an authoritative transition from her predecessor, Pat Garrett.
The event marked the culmination of a career deeply rooted in public service, beginning with Massey’s early days as a native Oregonian in Eugene and extending to her distinguished service in the U.S. Navy. Her military tenure, somewhat paradoxically, set her on a path through the realms of public safety, starting in Norfolk, Virginia, and ultimately leading to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in 2004. According to a Washington County press release, after twenty years, Sheriff Massey is now preparing to actively lead the office.
One of Massey’s stated goals involves a committed collaboration with community partners and organizations, an effort aimed at cementing Washington County’s status as the safest urban county in Oregon. “I am truly honored to serve the Washington County community as its 33rd Sheriff alongside the hundreds of dedicated professionals of this office,” Sheriff Massey stated in the county’s announcement. “We look forward to continuing our public safety mission,” she continued…