Douglas County Sheriff Kevin Morris Announces Retirement Effective March 1, 2026

Douglas County Sheriff Kevin Morris announced on December 8 that he will retire from law enforcement on March 1, 2026. Morris made the announcement in a brief news release, saying he is stepping down after more than 30 years in law enforcement. He was first appointed sheriff in 2018 when former Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal retired, and he won re election in 2022.

Morris also served as president of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, a role that connected Douglas County to statewide policy discussions and collaborative public safety efforts. In his announcement, Morris said "it has been an honor and privilege serving the residents of Douglas County and a blessing to work with some of the finest professionals in law enforcement."

The retirement sets a clear timeline for the sheriff s office to manage leadership and operational transitions over the coming months. Local law enforcement leaders and county officials will need to ensure continuity in patrol, investigations, jail operations, and community programs while the office prepares for a new sheriff. For residents, that means oversight of public safety priorities such as patrol coverage, emergency response, and community partnerships will be under active review during the interim period.

Morris s tenure included nearly a decade leading the office between appointment and election, and his statewide role signaled Douglas County s involvement in broader conversations about criminal justice policy and interagency cooperation. Those institutional relationships may influence how local leaders approach succession and maintain lines of communication with neighboring counties and state agencies.

As the county moves forward, Douglas County residents can expect announcements from county officials about next steps for filling the office and addressing any near term operational needs. The coming months will be important for community stakeholders, from local government to nonprofit service providers, to engage with the sheriff s office on priorities and to monitor how leadership changes affect daily public safety services.