Hermiston’s public safety center is almost ready
By Terry Murry on Friday, April 3rd, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HERMISTON – After operating out of four locations during the renovation of the Bob Stafford Public Safety Center, moving in time is almost a reality. Police Chief Jason Edmiston says he anticipates the move will happen at the end of April.
“Working in four different locations has been tough,” Edmiston said of the renovation process of the center which will also house Umatilla County Fire District No. 1.
Edmiston said the renovation has resulted in a sallyport, which did not exist in the old building footprint. He added that code enforcement will have an area. There are also conference rooms and a huge training room.
That training room is being named after Officer Ronald Kilby, who was killed while on duty on Oct. 8, 1959.
“It’s like nothing we’ve ever had,” Edmiston said of the renovation. “It’s more than what I expected.”
Editor’s note: Umatilla County Fire District No. 1 will also be moving into the center. We will feature that portion of the building in the near future.
Photos provided by the Hermiston Police department. Above are the plaques honoring the late Chief of Police Bob Shannon and Officer Ronald Kilby. Below is the training room and a portion of the room for detectives.
