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Clallam sheriff to step down 2003-08-12 by
JEFF CHEW PORT ANGELES -- Citing personal reasons, Clallam County Sheriff Joe Hawe announced Monday he will retire effective Oct. 1. ``It is with mixed emotions that I made this decision, but for personal reasons, the time is right,'' Hawe, who was re-elected last fall, said in a letter to the Clallam County commissioners dated Saturday. Hawe recommended that commissioners appoint Undersheriff Fred DeFrang as interim sheriff after his retirement. Commissioners on Monday, however, said they would solicit formal applications from interested candidates as part of their selection process for an interim sheriff. ``It'll be an open, above-board process,'' said Commissioner Mike Chapman, R-Port Angeles, adding that this will allow the public and candidates to watch the process. ``That's what I support.'' Hawe, 54, who has been on active duty with the Coast Guard since he was called up in mid-March, states in the letter that he will return to the county from active duty Sept. 19. He is now based in Seattle and is approaching his fifth month of active duty with Coast Guard Investigative Services. Hawe has been a reserve special agent for 20 years and was called up because of the war in Iraq and increased homeland security.
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