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, Eric Peter

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, Mike Hairston

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.

Mike Hariston Photo

Chief Civil Deputy, Kim Ott

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

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

Detective Ray Harvey

Born and raised on Orcas Island, Ray brings an extensive island community knowledge to his work.  After graduating Orcas Island High School in 2007, earned an AA degree in Criminal Justice and obtained his Reserve Deputy Certification. He was hired on full time with the department in January of 2013.

While working for San Juan County, Ray has been entrusted as a Field Training Officer and holds several training certificates including interview techniques, Homicide Investigations, Sexual Assaults, Emergency Vessel Operations, Boating Operations for Search and Rescue, and Advanced Roadside Impaired driving. He served as Marine Unit Coordinator from 2017 to 2021 until he was selected to assume his current position as a detective in 2022.

Ray continues his family’s long history in the community, and with his kids, they are working on five generations here! This also in part, is what fuels his appreciation of the great cohesiveness between first responders and community members.

Ray Harvey
  1. District 1, San Juan Island
  2. District 2, Orcas Island
  3. District 3, Lopez Island

Zac Reimer, Sergeant

Zac ReimerZac has been in Law Enforcement for almost 22 years and the last just over 8 of them have been here for San Juan County. He started Law Enforcement back in 2001 for the Lummi Police Department and in 2003 transferred to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. He grew up in a small town, north of Bellingham. Growing up in a small town, you knew everyone especially the police.  As a child he 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?”, he will tell you that it is difficult to answer.  He loves helping people problem solve, but the fact that someone is in a bad situation or there is a crisis going on, makes it hard to love. He has always worked hard to help people the best he can through those times and help problem solve.  He is a firm believer in the community and the police working together to help solve the issues in the community.  

 Rion Brandt, Deputy 

BRANDT PICRion Brandt is a Deputy Sheriff with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. After growing up on Orcas Island, Brandt enlisted into the United States Army. Later, Brandt earned an Associates of Science in Crime Scene Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Investigations.  

Brandt joined the San Juan County Sheriff's Office in June of 2021 and in 2022 completed training to become a certified Crime Scene Technician. 

"I look forward to a long career with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office and couldn’t be happier to serve and be part of my home county." 


Nick Wainwright, Deputy

Nick WainwrightNick Wainwright has been part of the Sheriff’s Office team since 2017 when he started as an emergency dispatcher, and in 2022, switched from dispatch to patrol. Nick has a history of public service both with San Juan Fire as a Firefighter and San Juan EMS as an EMT.

Previous to his work in emergency services, Nick lived in various cities, states and countries to learn, grow and hone the skills needed to best serve those around him.  

Nick has lived on San Juan Island most of his life, graduating from Friday Harbor High School, and plans on serving his community on San Juan Island as long as he can.


Eric Gardiner, Deputy

Gardiner photoEric Gardiner is the senior Deputy on San Juan Island. Gardiner was hired by the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office in 1996 by Sheriff William Cumming.

He was raised on Whidbey Island in a military family - his father was a Naval Aviator, and his mother was a schoolteacher. He graduated from Washington State University with a BA in Criminal Justice.  In his time with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, he has served as a Taser Instructor for 8 years and the Sex Offender Registration Officer for 20 years.  He was also a volunteer EMT for 8 years.  



Joshua Holt, Deputy 

Deputy Joshua (Jay) Holt photoJay Holt started his career in Law Enforcement in 2006 as a Corrections Officer with the City of Fife.  Later, he moved to a patrol position with the City of Burlington. While there, he was selected to be part of the Skagit County SWAT team, responding to high-risk incidents, and serving search warrants on dangerous individuals.

In 2018 he moved to San Juan Island, seeking a better place for his family. Jay’s favorite aspect of working for the Sheriff’s Office is the fact that the work done here has a tangible impact on the community. Working directly with known individuals over time has reinforced that compassion and care can create a positive impact for everyone, and that impact is visible in those who have overcome adversity.

In his spare time, Jay enjoys gardening, hiking, exploring the islands, and playing guitar. He also spends a lot of time working on his house, but he does not enjoy it. (ha-ha)

John Stanford, Correctional & Courthouse Security Officer

Corrections Officer John Stanford photoJohn Stanford began his career in government service in 2001 by enlisting in the United States Navy. After the Navy, he began a career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 2014 as a correctional officer at the Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He moved on to positions of increasing responsibility including Mobile Equipment Metal Worker Supervisor at Federal Correctional Complex Terre Haute, Indiana; Safety Administrator at Federal Prison Camp Duluth, Minnesota; and Metropolitan Correctional Center Chicago, Illinois.

John lives with his family on Lopez Island where his wife’s family has been a part of the Lopez Island and San Juan County community since 1884. The San Juan County Sheriff's Office is excited to have John joining our team and to finally have a Courthouse Security position for the safety of all who work in and visit the courthouse. 

Rodney Nawn, Detective

Rodney NawnRodney Nawn began his career in Law Enforcement in 2013 for the City of Long Beach, WA as a patrol officer. While there he worked with a narcotics enforcement team that conducted multiple operations, serving high risk search warrants and arresting drug dealers. In 2017 he received the American Legion Officer of the year award as well as the City of Long Beach Mayor’s Award for his efforts in making the community a safer place.

In late 2017 he was hired as a patrol Deputy with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. He started on Orcas Island and was there for a year before moving to San Juan Island, where he and his family now live.  He enjoys working in San Juan County because much like the small town of Long Beach, he can make a positive impact on the community. In January 2023, he was assigned to the position of Detective in the Sheriff’s Office Investigative Division.