Read about Sheriff of Wahkiakum County dies of gunshot wound …

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The (Longview) Daily News reports the sheriff of Wahkiakum County died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home late yesterday afternoon.

Sheriff Jon Dearmore, 50, who was elected in 2010, spent nearly 25 years in law enforcement, and oversaw a department of five full-time deputies, a small support staff and a handful of reserves, according to news reporters Leslie Slape and Natalie St. John.

The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.

Cowlitz County Sheriff Mark Nelson said it appears Dearmore may have been despondent over medical issues related to a lingering line-of-duty injury suffered several years ago.

Wahkiakum County sheriff’s deputies responded to a call from Dearmore’s wife about 5 p.m. when she reported he was making suicidal statements and she was concerned for his welfare, Nelson said in a statement.

“When the deputies arrived on scene, they found Sheriff Dearmore in his shop,” Nelson said. “As they entered the door to talk with him, he shot himself. Both deputies are long-time sheriff’s office employees and friends of Sheriff Dearmore.”

Wahkiakum County Undersheriff Mark Howie contacted Nelson and asked for assistance, according to Nelson. Coroner duties are being handled by Cowlitz County Coroner Tim Davidson’s office at the request of Wahkiakum County Prosecutor and Coroner Dan Bigelow.

Deputies with Cowlitz County are providing patrol services for the eastern portion of Wahkiakum County, while Pacific County Sheriff Scott Johnson’s office is providing patrol services on the west end of the county, according to Nelson.

“Sheriff Dearmore was a loved, well respected member of the Wahkiakum community, as well as the region.” Nelson said. “He was my friend, and I’ll miss him.”
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39 Responses to “Read about Sheriff of Wahkiakum County dies of gunshot wound …”

  1. saysme says:

    Thank You Sharyn for asking them to move on and change venue.

  2. adminsharyn says:

    DCE and George, if you’re finished commenting on this news item, perhaps it’s time to take your conversation on other topics elsewhere … thanks. –sharyn d.

  3. Go Overseas and fight for American Freedoms? What you mean the Patriot Act, The NDAA act. TSA groping Americans in Airports, Check Points… How is that American Freedom?

  4. George says:

    So, you are saying that “ALL dirty cops MUST register”, and you say that Centralia cops are dirty, yet you don’t make them “register.” You could always just register them yourself. Why don’t you do that? Or do you just glean the news services looking for articles where a cop has been convicted of a crime and then post THAT information?

    You say you have risked your life doing what you do, and you say it is for the good of all. Being an anarchist agitator is NOT risking your life for the betterment of society, but rather it is risking your life to expose what you perceive as threats to society and from a sense of revenge for your own mistakes.

    Now, you say that a suicidal cop is a danger to society. This is true. but then again, it is also true about ANYONE who is may have suicidal tendencies. Yet I don’t hear you lamenting those people, nor do I hear you talking about any “victims” in those cases. You only go on rants about how all cops are evil and fluoride is killing us and nonsense like that. Whose character does that show? Look in the mirror.

    So you spent a few days cleaning up the streets. While that is nice, do you expect to get a medal for it? Why not volunteer to go overseas to fight for American freedoms? Why not volunteer to go on anti-crime patrols, ride-alongs, community watches, that sort of thing? How about patrolling the border to prevent illegal crossings? Those things will do the community, and the people, some good. Whining and crying about how “the Man is keeping you down” and all of your self-proclaimed “persecution” doesn’t do any good, and it shows, once again, your own character.

    You also mentioned “…Suicide is such a Sad thing for a Family.” Your words. Yet you also said that “Suicide is the Chicken Shit way out.” Again, your words. In one breath, you are insulting the person who has taken what they see is the only road, and in the next you are somehow expressing your condolences to those who are left behind. Would you be saying the same thing about the guy who just slinks off into the night and kills himself out in the woods? What about the one who climbs a tower and takes out half a dozen people before ending his own life? Just because they aren’t cops, does that make it somehow different?

    Suicide IS among us, and it isn’t just cops who do it. Everyday people do it, too, and for many different reasons. Instead of vilifying those who commit suicide, we should be looking for ways to help prevent them from doing so, or at least give them a place where they can go and get whatever help they need. And it doesn’t matter if they are a cop of not… they are humans first and foremost.

    You, “Dirty Cop Enforcer,” are NOT doing the public any favors. You are acting on your own rage against legitimate authority, due to a sense of persecution, self-pity, and low self esteem. this much is obvious from your tyrannical rants against anything that seems to go against your own personal beliefs. Contrary to what you might think, the world is NOT out to get you… YOU are the one responsible for EVERYTHING that has befallen you. YOU. Not the cops. Not me. Not anyone. YOU.

    You need to accept that YOU are the one to be held accountable for anything that has happened to YOU.

  5. George. I take news articles and spin them. When an officer is then convicted this would qualify for registration. Idea’s are unstoppable. this is purely my Idea for a Citizen Police Enforcement board to become a reality. The thin blue line is very worn. The police have had hundreds of years to refine their practice. I really am open to suggestions and I need help with alot of things. What I don’t like though is to be attackeed for my past, from here all I have ever seen is my future. The police want to try and keep me down forever, whaat I’m doing is pressing the Constitution to it’s limits. I have a right to exercise these rights. Just because I have a criminal past does not disqualify me from participating in society. What I want is accountability I have risked my life for doing what I do. I get death threats and cold hard looks. This just tells me I am doing the right thing. The Enemy has brought this fight to me. I was the one that was doing the community service in the streets of Centralia Last year. For my Efforts I was rewarded by having a Gun Pointed at Me. Choked, and Manhandled, Stalked and just plain Violated. But the beauty of it all I have been making a movie this whole time. And no I dont mean just a You Tube Short a real Movie. I wanted to prove to my self and the Communityb that no matter how a person changes the police will always treat you like a criminal. The fact is that if Jesus cam back today he would be either locked up in a Looney Bin or killed by the Police. While I was doing all of that Community service I felt Jesus and God, walk beside me. Then after two weeks I was introduced to the Devil. They were Police Officers. George I would Love to Register the Centralia Police Offenders that need to be registered. Only time can tell now what will happen. One more thing Suicide is such a Sad thing for a Family. Even I have felt this way, Hundreds of times and I have been ran over by a drunk driver and I am without health care. Do I kill myself. No Because I have God… enough of the Attacks I haave proven my point. DCE

  6. George says:

    DCE, how come you don’t have the entire Centralia PD on registered on your website? How come not even one of them?

  7. “Naselleres” You sound like the Centralia Police Department, they want me to remove the videos I have of them also, like the city officials leaving vehicles running, cops shutting off recording equipment and many other pathetic attemps to stop me from Manufacturing a Movie. This movie has been in the Making for over a year, In fact the Centralia Chronicle even mentions I am making a film in the news paper…Lets face it, Dearmore did in fact kill himself, My headliness are in Lamens terms and link to the same story the Sirens has posted. Free speech is my right. The facts are clear about the suicide and having a suicidal police officer is a danger to the community. I have to look at it from a victims stand point. When I think of Dearmore I think of David Brame of the Pierce county sheriff’s Deparment. He murdered his wife. I am also familiar with other suicidal cops and the damage they are capable of doing. Washington State has the lowest conviction rate for corrupt police officers. I am also aware that the police are watching my web site and my comments here. I have created the ultimate citizens web site that has the ability to classify police for the Criminals that “some” Are. Lets be clear I don’t hate cops but I do hate corruption and the power to manipulate paper work. Everyone do yourself a favor look at this web site I will provide you. The statistics and facts are real. The Police are the Criminals when it comes to accountability. http://www.policemisconduct.net/ the facts are clear I have proven it here in Centralia also. A a citizen, what I’m doing is Patriotic, Who else in this community has ever stood up to the Police? I’m sorry if people dont like my Head Lines. Lamens terms are sometimes hard for people to handle. But telling me to take down my Site, Videos and Postings and Headlines is non American. Dissent is the Highest Form Of Patriotism… (Thomas Jefferson)

  8. Falsetto says:

    Dearmore made threats of suicide.

    Threats of suicide are major red flags concerning mental illness.

    Instead of attacking users here who are trying to have intelligent conversations, perhaps you should be attacking the causes of mental illness and suicide like the broken health-care system we suffer under?

    Instead of denial, try and learn from the horrific circumstances and understand that you’re not alone.

    Here is a website I hope you will take the time to look at:

    http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/suicide

  9. Naselleres says:

    Remove this from your site please; your statements regarding Dearmore’s mental health are unfounded, and the speculation is malicious. What good does it do to cause this tiny community more hurt by acting as if you know something about them. We are a close knit people. Many of us have known each other all our lives and went to school and church with Dearmore. I can’t tell you how many times I sat across the table from him and his wife at a potluck gathering or other community functions. You know nothing about him except what you imagine; and that is wrong.

  10. 1GR says:

    That last comment was for you Sharyn. Why have you not posted my other comments?

  11. 1GR says:

    So you’re kind of a chickenshit on here as well?

  12. CVenard says:

    THANK YOU KURT WETZOLD!! Well said. Your comments were wonderful and I admire you as a man and a member of our community.

  13. Huh? says:

    Dirty Cop Enforcer says:
    Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    The Dirtry Cop Enforcer says:
    Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 9:01 pm

    slip of the “r” or an imposter? Oh no, not two DCE’s!!

  14. Huh? says:

    DCE – I think that drunk drivers should be given much harsher sentences than they are. Maybe that would be a good platform for you….instead of flouride you could argue the alcohol? At least alcohol is consumed by choice, whereas in many areas floride is not.

  15. 1GR says:

    DCE, where is an open forum where I could discuss the topic of your sanity?

  16. George says:

    @ Disgusted, you are right in your assessment about suicide, and I’m sorry that you have had to deal with it in such a close and personal nature.

  17. Disgusted says:

    I believe that suicide is an act of insanity. Be it temporary or ongoing . . . anyone who follows through with the decision to end their life is in unspeakable emotional pain. It isn’t “chickenshit.” It is choosing a permanent and sad solution to temporary problems. My brother committed suicide at 19. I know he was not in his right mind when he did it. Due to many factors – mental and phsyical health issues, financial difficulties, chemical dependence and other life problems – he saw no other way of finding relief. I wish I had some way of knowing what he was going to do at the time so I could have tried to stop him. I am sure all family members of suicide victims feel the exact same way. A “chickenshit” is the last thing my brother was. And I am sure this man, may he rest in peace, wasn’t one either.

  18. Bill S… Really, I said that Suicide is a chicken shit thing to do and some how you come up with I’m an unhappy person. Basicly I just see people attacking me for a point a view. Just by your comment , Bill you “Must” be jumping on the Ban Wagon.

  19. Bill S says:

    DCE you must be a very angry unhappy person. Dont squander the rest of your life with your failure to change. I do believe in the thin blue line.

  20. Bill S says:

    I would guess there is more to this story. More than medical reasons. Some coming problems about to surface.

  21. “1GR” what does Public assistance and my Income have to do with this article? I will get off the subject to let you know that I am not on any public assistance nor do I collect social security. I also find it funny that Sharyn contacts me when I try to post things that are not on topic, but allows others to constantly get off topic to try and attack my free speech. 1GR heres is a Link that explains that almost half of the US is on some kind of Government Program..http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2012/05/26/number-of-the-week-half-of-u-s-lives-in-household-getting-benefits/
    I’m sure this won’t get posted because it’s not on topic, but 1GR I’m trying to at least anwser your off topic question.

  22. I am Sorry Sharyn... says:

    That you allow many of the nasty comments here. If you want a place that people will visit and engage in meaningful comment on the news, you have to flush the toilet now and then. Hold the handle down…

  23. 1GR says:

    DCE, please list the .gov assistance programs you are on.

  24. terry says:

    DCE you say what you want when you want about anyone you want.LEO have stepped on our rights but you can still comment at least for now anyway.dont worry about what other people say most are trying to look good for the police.

  25. Byron Peck says:

    I knew Jon when I lived in Naselle in the late 90’s when he was a K9 officer. He is the last person I would expect to do suicide, he must have been in a lot of pain to go that route. My sympathy and condolences go to family & friends.

  26. Falsetto says:

    addendum to my previous post:

    Rest in peace Sheriff Jon Dearmore. Although I never met you, I thank you for your services to the citizens of Washington State. I hope this tragic event raises awareness of mental illness and other things that lead to the taking of one’s own life.

    You will be remembered and not long forgotten.

    R.I.P.

    I hope your family is able to survive and hopefully help others avoid such a senseless end. I’m sorry for your loss.

  27. Falsetto says:

    “Your comments about the Sheriff who took his life shows your ignorance and lack of compassion for human life.”

    Actions speak louder than words. Where was the Sheriff’s compassion for his survivors? Where was his compassion for himself?

    And DCE was right…suicide is the chicken shit way out and it couldn’t have been committed by a better person.

  28. kurt wetzold says:

    Pain…men deal with it in all manners. DCE…thank you for your contributions…never stop for any reason. Continue to fight. You be different because the world around you will never change. You have the ability to lead others to do “right”. This man who took his life saw no way out of his pain. It is sad and yes maybe even a bit selfish. Please use your talents and God given abilities to lead others to make a differance, by being differant. Fighting the local cops will probably be a battle you will never win. But…you an change their opinion about them! Dare to be different, to take stand and make changes that will bless others. What ever you do DCE to better your community, do it well. I support your efforts to make a differance in Lewis County!

  29. sunshinegirl says:

    Wow DCE you must have really crappy luck . I have been through some pretty gnarley things in my life . I have had a swat team in my living room , a bomb on my plane , I survived hurricane Camille in 69 and MT. St. Helens in 80 and my first born died in my arms at 13 of cancer. I’ve had a dozen different jobs ,Working with children , bartending and I am an H.C.A. for many years now, and in 61 years I have had several times where I have dealt with law enforcement for various reasons here in Lewis Co. In every instance they were polite and helpful and for the most part very respectful . They always came in a timely manner when called. I was especially impressed with the kindness of the swat team . They were not always able to solve all my problems but they tried . I have called them various times for emergencies and non emergencies . Guess I been really lucky not to find all this Evil you are talking about. That said , my thoughts go out to the family of Sheriff Dearmore and his co-workers , how terrible for them all .

  30. MorningCoffee says:

    DCE – wretched will be the day that the very people you hate will have to come to your aid. Bless those who will turn the other cheek for your undeserving benefit. And to think I have been giving you the benefit of doubt; you have now shown me just how evil you are. A pathetic menace to society. So sad that the likes of you walk among us. So much for looking for the good in every person. You should be ashamed to show your face in the light of day.

  31. Kurt Wetzhold let me explain where I am coming from.. You say I have never given anything to this community. Well your wrong and let me explain. I spent two weeks on Tower Avenue Picking up Garbage last year only to have a Gun Pointed at me by the Centralia Police Department. I was even able to Video Record the Event……………….You see is Jesus came back today the Police Would Kill Him…………Suicide is a Selfish act, I’m in Pain everyday a Drunk driver ran me over with his car, but I don’t take my life. I deal with the pain of the Selfish Drunks Act…….

  32. MorningCoffee says:

    Well said Kurt. Thank you.

  33. linda says:

    I am so sorry for his family and work friends.

  34. kurt wetzold says:

    DCE…it is almost to much to imagine that you can speak as you do. I served the citizens of Lewis County with my heart. I gave something to the community that you will never be able to give. You are the cancer in the county…a taker and never a giver. Your comments about the Sheriff who took his life shows your ignorance and lack of compassion for human life. I pity people like you who are blind and without shame. As I write this I imagine that you will respond in the same manner as above…your heart is hard and it is not because of your hatred for police officers. You just hate. You are a fool, a pathetic ignorant fool. There are “bad” cops, cooks, politicians, garbage men etc…the common demominator? Men. We are all evil and wicked from the womb…some make a choice to turn from that way others, such as yourself revel in your wickedness. You fancy yourself some kind of saviour, but you are lost and you lead others…the blind leading the blind. I am not sure what your vocation is or if you have a family that loves you. Take the opportunity to make a differance…a worth while differance. There are always complainers…you are the chief! Start giving to the community and perhaps people will listen…not the criminals who side with you in their hatred…but good sane, caring folks! I dare you to be a man…not a male.

  35. George says:

    Sad Scene, it’s not just the state of our medical system, but it’s the system as a whole that is broken. Especially when someone is hurting, and nobody does anything about it. Yes, in many of those cases, death DOES seem more appealing. Let us hope that the family can somehow find some peace in this tragic event, and let us hope that it helps others to speak up.

  36. sad scene says:

    Sad story. It can almost be a testimony to the state of our medical system, Where the threat of skyrocketing medical bills are put in the scales up against death and death looks more appealing. I am sad for his family and friends.

  37. George says:

    Wow. Lots of compassion there for your fellow human beings. Nice. And from such a stellar character, too.

  38. Suicide is the Chicken Shit way out. But this is what you can expect from police officers in the New World Order. One more reason never to trust the police folks. They are killers and the most evil people on the Planet, Besides Bill Clinton and Hiltlery Clinton and some other political pukes I didn’t mention…