Umatilla County Jail commander is retiring

By Terry Murry on Tuesday, January 25th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – The Umatilla County Jail gets a new boss in February. Capt. Thoren Hearn is retiring. Meanwhile, he’s had a shadow this month. The Umatilla County Board of Commissioners has allowed Hearn’s position to be double-filled with newly-promoted Capt. Kenny Franks.

“That allows for Capt. Franks to get some tutelage from Capt. Hearn and learn the ropes a little bit better for that one-month period,” Board Chairman John Shafer said.

Shafer says he has personal feelings about Hearn’s retirement.

“I’m still a little shocked that my good friend is retiring because we actually grew up together,” Shafer said. “It kind of makes me feel like, you know, I listen to the radio and say they’re playing great songs. Then all of a sudden, they come on and say, ‘You’re on the oldies channel.’ I’m like – wait a minute.”