PORT ANGELES — Longtime Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputy Lorraine Shore was sworn in as undersheriff and emergency management director in a Friday morning ceremony in the Emergency Operations Center in the Clallam County Courthouse.
She replaces Ron Cameron, who retired as undersheriff in December after 38 years with the sheriff’s office.
“I can’t thank all of you enough. Everyone works together so well. It is an honor to be named undersheriff. And thanks to all my wonderful volunteers,” Shore, 58, told the crowd of more than 50 people that was described as a “who’s who” of current and retired law enforcement in the county.
“Today’s a very special day for the sheriff’s office,” said Sheriff Brian King. “When she was hired, she reached out to people on her own to ask how to do this job and do it well. I was overwhelmed by her qualifications.
“Lorraine’s always taken care of everything, so this is going to be a difficult transition,” King continued, noting she even had arranged for a public notary for the ceremony to certify the documents reflecting her promotion.
Retired sheriff Bill Benedict said one thing he would attribute to his own success was meeting Shore 15 years ago.
Said Port Angeles Police Chief Brian Smith: “We couldn’t have had a better friend.”
Shore began her law enforcement career in 1992 with the Anchorage Police Department, serving in roles ranging from patrol officer to officer survival instructor to police academy commander. She and her husband, Howard, retired in 2008 and moved to Sequim.
Shore was hired as community policing coordinator in 2009, became administrative coordinator in 2012 and administrative manager in 2019. She also has managed the sheriff’s volunteers since 2009.
Shore implemented several programs for the sheriff’s office, including Project Lifesaver, Neighborhood Watch, Safety for Seniors and social media accounts.
A typical undersheriff’s job description includes “to plan, direct, manage and oversee the activities and operations of the sheriff’s office, including administration, operations, planning, and custody; to coordinate assigned activities with other county departments and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the sheriff.
________
Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached at Brian.Gawley@peninsuladailynews.com.
