Sheriff's Office Team

A dedicated team of islanders

Our command staff bring a wealth of knowledge and a tremendous amount of combined experience to their assignments.  


Sheriff

I have been blessed to be part of this community and working for the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office on Orcas and San Juan Islands since 2017. In addition to my role as Patrol Sergeant on San Juan Island, I served as a trainer in progressive policing focusing on De-escalation, Communication Skills, and Emotional Intelligence. Training around the state has given me a clear vision for the future.

My wife and I came to San Juan County after falling in love with the islands years ago, traveling here any chance we could. We made the move to become full time residents after my retirement with the Houston Police Department in 2017 where I served since 1995. As an Officer for the Houston Police Department, I served as a Patrol Officer, working on various teams- Westside Gang Task Force, and Violent Crime Impact Team. As a Sergeant for Houston Police Department, I supervised the Northeast Patrol Division, Airport Division, Emergency Communications Division, Westside Patrol Division, and Westside Crime Analysis Unit. I carry this experience and lessons with me as I serve the people of San Juan County.

Eric Peter Sheriff Photo

Undersheriff

Undersheriff Mike Hairston served as the SJCSO’s Chief Criminal Deputy from March 2021 to December 2022, supervising the Sergeants on each island and the patrol deputies. He also updated the SJCSO’s policies and oversaw its training program. Mike joined the SJCSO in January 2020 as a deputy on Orcas Island. Mike moved to Orcas from Dallas, Texas where he spent 31 years in law enforcement with the last 15 years in police administration. During his career, he also served as a hostage negotiator, an accident reconstruction expert, and firearms instructor. He currently teaches leadership development for the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development Association and for the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. At the University of North Texas, Mike earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Arts and Science and a Masters Degree in Public Administration.

Undersheriff Michael Hairston- SJCSO

Chief Civil Deputy

Kim Ott has served as the Chief Civil Deputy for the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office since 2010. She has been employed in management positions for most of her career.  The Chief Civil Deputy supervises the civil office employees, the dispatch supervisor and dispatch center employees. She is responsible for a multitude of tasks, including management of the Sheriff’s Office grants, creation and management of the Sheriff’s Office budgets, and oversees all Sheriff’s Office records. The Chief Civil Deputy enforces the civil laws for the Sheriff’s Office. This includes executing writs for evictions, property seizures and sales, and ensuring proper service and return of court documents. Other duties include payroll review and approval of Sheriff’s Office staff, ensures all sworn staff are properly outfitted, approves Accounts Payable for processing, and reviews and approves Concealed Pistol Licenses and firearm transfers.

Kim Ott

Chief Criminal Deputy

David Alexander is a 28-year law enforcement veteran. David served in the United States Marine Corps prior to beginning his law enforcement career in California. David has experience with numerous assignments including Patrol, School Resource, Gang Enforcement, Field Training, County Search and Rescue, and Hostage/Crisis Negotiation. He also was assigned to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau to assist SWAT. 

After 28 years with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, David joined the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. David worked patrol on Orcas Island until his promotion to Chief Criminal Deputy in January of 2023.

Dave Alexander
  1. District 1, San Juan Island
  2. District 2, Orcas Island
  3. District 3, Lopez Island

Zac Reimer, Sergeant

Zac ReimerI have been in Law Enforcement for almost 22 years and the last just over 8 of them have been here for San Juan County.  I started Law Enforcement back in 2001 for the Lummi Police Department and in 2003 I transferred over to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.   I grew up in a small town, north of Bellingham, which back then, was like how it is here in the islands.   With growing up in a small town you knew everyone especially the police.   As a child I looked at the job that they did and how close they were with the community and that always stuck with me.  

When asked “what do you love about your job?”, I will tell you that it is difficult to answer.  I do love helping people problem solve and being there to help, but the fact that someone is in a bad situation or there is a crisis going on makes it hard to love.  It is very hard to watch people in what could be the worst moment in their life.  I have always worked hard to help people the best I can through those times and help problem solve.  I am a firm believer in the community and the police working together to help solve the issues in the community.