By GEORGE KUNKE, geoakunke@gmail.com
Thursday, March 16, 2023 1:26 pm
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SOUTH BEND - Pacific County Sheriff Daniel Garica, who won a convincing victory over incumbent Robin Souvenir last November, told the Herald he "is here to serve and protect the people." Sheriff Garcia was gracious enough to take time from his busy schedule to answer questions posed to him from the Herald.
Garcia and his wife, the former Lauren Peetermans (USCG Sector Columbia River), have four sons, including Caesar (13), Romain (11), Marcus (3) and Andros (1). They reside in Naselle.
Garcia, has served the community as a volunteer firefighter/EMT and has coached wrestling, baseball and soccer since 2014. He and his wife have started a small business, "Son's of a Carpenter Goods and Services, LLC" - buying government auction items, selling online. Sharpening, lubing/tuning, fixing Knives and hand tools.
Sheriff Garcia was born in Colorado and grew up in southern and northern California. Garcia, who enlisted in the navy at 17, has extensive military experience.
Senior Chief Garcia entered the Navy under the delayed entry program in 2000 and transferred to the Navy Reserve in 2006. He served in the Persian Gulf for Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn deploying nine times in different capacities from Aircraft Carriers to small boat security to on the ground. Garcia earned many honors in the Navy, including the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Pin, Expeditionary Warfare Specialist Pin, and the Small Craft Insignia as a Coastal Riverine Force Tactical Craft Coxswain/Patrol Leader. Garcia said he had the privilege to deploy with Navy SEALs for support. He also served with Naval Special Warfare Group 1 (SEAL Team 7, 1, 3 and Special Reconnaissance Team 1) and ended his career assigned to SEAL Team SEVENTEEN for their Unmanned Aerial Vehicle program. Garcia officially retired Oct. 1, 2022, after 22 years of service.
Below is the Herald's interview with Sheriff Garcia.
Herald: Did you ever see yourself in the role as Pacific County Sheriff?
Garcia: I was not looking or planning to have a career as a peace officer or a politician. This was brought to my attention by members of the community. My wife and I teach our son's a few fundamental tenants; We do not come across an identified problem that we know we can do something about and pass it by. We stand up for what is right even if we're standing alone. We protect those that cannot and those that will not protect themselves. We play with heart or not at all. I must live by the rules I teach. For all of these reasons I agreed to run for sheriff.
Herald: Were you surprised you won so overwhelmingly in the election over an incumbent?
Garcia: Surprised is not the right word, I was extremely honored and humbled.
Herald: How much do you think your military background in the Navy helps you as a sheriff?
Garcia: Through a long career of service in the U.S. Navy, I have developed a very particular set of skills that have prepared me to be able to step into this role as sheriff and not be overwhelmed. I have a personal advisory board of volunteers (some retired law enforcement) with many years of experience in all aspects of the Sheriff's Office, e.g. civil, jail, road, 911, administration. This advisory board amplifies the tools that I bring to the table.
Herald: What is your philosophy of law enforcement?
Garcia: The Sheriff's Office is here to serve and protect the people. We are the only peace officers directly accountable to the people. This is unique in that in its simplest form we are to keep the peace and arrest those that break it. Serving the needs of the people is challenging these days but still needs to be done.
Herald: What are your vision or goals as a sheriff and for the future of the PCSO?
Garcia: The goal is to work on fixing the relationship that the Pacific County Sheriff's Office has with the people, other organizations, agencies, and establishments within Pacific County and adjacent to. The vision is to do this with partnerships and with a unified Sheriff's Office.
Herald: With all the staff changes that you initiated, how has the transition as the new sheriff gone thus far?
Garcia: The one has nothing to do with the other. The transition was made and we are consistently identifying issues, putting them in an order of priority and addressing them accordingly. Things are on a good path of growth and progress.
Herald: Is your staff completely intact or are there more changes upcoming?
Garcia: Our command staff is intact. Some retirements are on the horizon, but we'll handle those as they present.
Herald: What do you believe is the biggest criminal element facing law enforcement in Pacific County?
Garcia: Theft fueled by drug use looks to be the primary issues that stem into other areas of crime.
Herald: What are the most important things the PCSO needs to run successfully?
Garcia: Leadership, staffing, training, and equipment are the most important things needed. We have and are addressing all of them simultaneously.
Herald: Do you think PCSO needs the Sig Sauer LE MCX AR-15 short-barreled semi-automatic rifles and silencers?
Garcia: The PCSO needs to address the aging, "Frankenstein'd", unreliable rifles we currently have. This is done through a few different ways.
One is training, we have implemented a training cadre and training plans to raise the skill sets that each deputy has (this ensures that, heaven forbid, a deputy ever has to deploy a firearm in the line of duty, they will have the necessary skills to minimize any level of collateral damage).
Two, we have identified the Sig Sauer LE (Law Enforcement) AR (ArmaLite Rifle)-15 SBR (Short Barreled Rifle; this for ease of close quarters deployment) semi-automatic (one shot per each squeeze of the trigger) and Sound Suppressors (to protect hearing over the duration of a career) as the rifle that will "future proof" us for decades to come.
Three, will be to purchase and issue out appropriate duty ammunition matched with the barrel length and rifle twist rate of said rifles looking for minimal appropriate penetration within FBI guidelines, should, heaven forbid, a shot ever needed to be placed, reducing collateral damage.
Herald: What do you think are the biggest changes facing today's law enforcement?
Garcia: The only thing consistent is change. That said, we shall learn, adapt, and overcome.
Herald: With so much national scrutiny on law enforcement, do you think that makes it more difficult to operate effectively?
Garcia: Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution or the Washington State Constitution does it state that the people are required to make law enforcement's job easy. I think the scrutiny comes with the territory and is an important check on the balance of power.
Herald: How have discussions gone about the pay scale you are seeking for your staff?
Garcia: Not well.
Herald: In closing, is there anything you'd care to add about anything?
Garcia: I am blessed and honored to be here and I am glad to serve our beautiful County of Pacific.