Leeon Leyde wants to be Douglas County Sheriff

With the retirement of longtime Douglas County Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal, Douglas County Sheriff candidate Leeon Leyde is looking to move up.

The 54-year-old single dad has spent most of career with the Washington State Patrol and is currently with the Wenatchee Police Department.

Wenatchee Business Journal Managing Editor Gary Bégin interviewed Leyde recently and this is what he had to say in response to various questions:

Wenatchee Business Journal: Why do you want the responsibility of managing a branch of government that impacts everybody on a daily basis?

Leyde: Being the Sheriff is a huge responsibility and should not be taken lightly. Being the chief law enforcement officer, the county demands a leader with a vast amount of experience. My experience has been diverse. State law enforcement, local law enforcement coupled with college level training and law enforcement management.

WBJ: Are you backing any candidate for judge?

Leyde: Since I am seeking the office of sheriff, I cannot recommend any candidate for judge. I would be working with judges and the judicial system frequently and therefore could not make a recommendation at this time.

WBJ: What drug problem or violent crime against fellow citizens is your focus going to be on if you win?

Leyde: Opioid addiction is a major concern and problem in our county as well as all over the country. One of my platforms is to place a deputy into the Columbia River Drug Task Force. Since 2005, the current administration elected not to assign a detective to the Columbia River Drug Task Force. The city of East Wenatchee, Wenatchee, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol have been participating and continue to support the Task Force. Last year there were only six cases in Douglas County generated by the Columbia River Drug Task Force. With a proactive approach, the citizens of Douglas County will see a decrease in crimes that are drug addiction driven, such as vehicle prowls and burglaries.

WBJ: Does Douglas County have specific law enforcement issues unique to it or are we just average in most criminal categories?

Leyde: The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office does participate in major crimes that occur in Chelan and Douglas County. We are fortunate to live in an area where major crimes are few and far between.

WBJ: Tell the readers about your life in law enforcement and any particular incidents or cases that may have motivated or even upset you?  

Leyde: I have received many honors in my career as a law enforcement officer, including receipt of the Law Enforcement Medal of Valor while a member of the East Wenatchee Police Department and three time recipient of the Chelan/Douglas County Traffic Safety award for Top DUI Officer while a member of the East Wenatchee Police Department. Too many times I have seen what domestic violence, drugs and other factors have played in the needless suffering of so many who live in our county.  Again, this is why I am passionate about getting a member of the Douglas County Sheriff’s office back into the Columbia River Drug Task Force.
The hardest thing that I have ever had to do in my professional career is go into someone’s home and tell them one of their loved ones was killed in a traffic accident. I still remember each one like it was yesterday.  No one should have to hear those words spoken.

WBJ: What is your management method in regards to subordinates?

Leyde: I am not a micro-manager. The sheriff’s office personnel are motivated and well qualified to do their jobs.  I will expect personnel under my administration to interact with the public professionally and respectfully. The citizens of Douglas County are our eyes and ears to what is happening in our county. I expect all of us to be held accountable for our actions or failure to act.

WBJ: Will you make efforts at empowering the Hispanic community so more cooperation is given to the DCSO?

Leyde: If anyone wants to be more involved in assisting our office, I would be more than happy to bring them on board in our quest for a better Douglas County. There are several Hispanic deputies and I would encourage their involvement with the Hispanic community. They would have my full support.

WBJ: Are there areas where you feel improvements can be made at the DCSO whether in enforcement or education of the public or in personnel?

Leyde: My campaign platform has several critical issues I wish to address. Protecting your schools, Constitutional Rights and safety within our community are just a few.  Right now protecting our schools is at the top of everyone’s list. Constitutional Rights, including the Second Amendment and the “individual” right to bear arms is sacred and affirmed by our Supreme Court Heller decision. We are blessed to live in a great area and it shows in our communities. As I travel around the county and talk to Douglas County citizens, they are friendly and attentive to what is happening around them. Those same citizens are concerned that no one from the Sheriff’s office has actively been a part of the Columbia River Drug Task Force for so long. I also want to work better with the local law enforcement agency leaders to build relationships and opportunities for our officers to train together. We cannot go at it alone nor should we being trying to. Combining resources and personnel will only lead to quicker services and assure the safety of all citizens in both Douglas and Chelan Counties.

WBJ: Anything about your hobbies or personal life you care to add?

Leyde: I enjoy golfing, reading, travelling and taking the boat up to Lake Chelan, camping with the kids. I grew up in Sultan, Washington and moved to East Wenatchee in 1996. Over the years I learned to be humble as I worked most of my career by myself with backup a long way away. Treating people professionally and with respect was critical during my career. I bring that professionalism with me wherever I go and expect those under my supervision to treat others like they would want to be treated. Let my experience work for you.

Editor’s Note: The Wenatchee Business Journal and the Quad City Herald are both members of the NCW Media family of community newspapers.