Benton County has a new sheriff
By Terry Murry on Thursday, September 30th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
KENNEWICK — The Benton County Board of Commissioners appointed a new sheriff at a special board meeting Wednesday afternoon. Three proposed candidates, Tom Croskrey, John Hodge, and Jon law were each asked the same six questions by the commissioners and given the opportunity to respond accordingly.
After conclusion of the interviews, commissioners conducted a closed-door executive session to evaluate the qualifications for appointment to elected office. After re-entering the regular session, the commissioners moved and seconded to appoint Tom Croskrey as Benton County Sheriff, effective Monday, Oct. 4. The motion carried unanimously.
Croskrey is a former commander with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office who resigned in June citing poor working conditions and hostility from his superior Sheriff Jerry Hatcher. In his interim position, Croskrey will run the office for a year, then voters will select a new sheriff in 2022.
In the August primary election, voters supported recalling Hatcher from office.
