Thursday, October 1, 2026
EAST WENATCHEE — Douglas County Sheriff Kevin W. Morris has announced he will retire on March 1, 2026, bringing a three-decade career in local law enforcement to an end.
Morris said in his written announcement that serving Douglas County has been both an honor and a privilege. He thanked the public and the agency’s employees, noting that he felt fortunate to have worked alongside what he described as some of the finest professionals in the field.
Morris came into the sheriff’s role after spending the bulk of his career inside the department, advancing through patrol, supervisory roles, and administrative positions. Publicly, he described himself as a working deputy shaped by years on the road in both East Wenatchee’s urban core and the county’s rural areas. That experience formed the foundation of his leadership approach, one rooted in familiarity with the community and the day-to-day demands placed on deputies.
During his tenure, the county saw continued residential growth in East Wenatchee, additional development pressure in unincorporated areas, and an increasing emphasis on regional cooperation among law-enforcement agencies. Morris repeatedly pointed to the department’s culture — its deputies, corrections staff, and support personnel — as central to maintaining stability during periods of change.
Morris’s departure marks the close of an era defined by steady, career-based service in a county that has grown rapidly in both population and complexity. His retirement creates an opening for new leadership in one of the region’s most visible law-enforcement roles.
Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media
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