Read What People Are Saying About Brent

Sgt. Brennan Supports Johnson For Sheriff
To the Editor:

Our local papers say both of our Sheriff s candidates are pretty equal, when it comes to their answers to questions put to them at forums or by the papers, so let me tell you why I think Brent Johnson is the clear choice for our next Sheriff.

I have been with the San Juan County Sheriff's Office for 22+ years. I have had the pleasure of working with Brent Johnson for the last 8 years. I was immediately impressed with Brent when he first moved to the San Juans. Brent had just completed a 20 year career with the Albuquerque Police Department. He was loyal to that department and community and continued to work his way up the ranks and work hard to make his community a better place to live.
After retiring with his 20 years in, he bought a home in the San Juans and moved here with his wife and daughter. He tried to be retired but loved police work too much. He became our lead detective and has worked tirelessly for our community.

Brent has been involved in or personally solved 90% of the major cases in the San Juans in the last 8 years. People ask why they don't know don't know who Brent is, it's because he is in his office working hard or out following up on a case. He doesn't make a big deal out of it or try for any glory or headlines. His office is next door to mine and I have watched him work tirelessly on cases, not just in solving it, but in convincing the Prosecutors office it needs to go forward with it and getting what they need to win the case in court.

Brent is already familiar with everyone in the main Office. He works regularly with our deputies, dispatchers and evidence techs. He already knows and works personally with our Prosecutors, Superior Court Judges and staff and our District Court Judges and staff. He already works regularly with our Corrections Officers, Adult Parole and Probation and Department of Corrections. Oh, and he really understands how our Detective division works and what it needs to be better.

When it comes to dealing with outside agencies Brent already deals with our local Customs, Border Patrol, D.E.A., Coast Guard, F.B.I. and is on a first name basis with people from most of these agencies. He is a local volunteer firefighter and works with the local Red Cross, as well other numerous local volunteer groups. As the father of a teen age daughter he is totally committed to making the San Juans the safest place possible to raise a teen.

Over the years I have know officers who moved from department to department as higher positions or ranks became available. Brent Johnson is not that officer. He worked hard for Albuquerque for 20 years doing his best to improve the department and community. When he is elected our next Sheriff he will give us years of dedicated service, improving our department and community ... and that's the difference that makes Brent Johnson the best candidate for Sheriff.

Sgt. Scott Brennan
San Juan County Sheriff s office

-----------------------------------------------------

Supports Brent Johnson for San Juan County Sheriff

Oct. 19, 2010, 2:34 PM (as printed in SanJuanJournal.com)


Ballots have been mailed and I strongly recommend voting for Brent Johnson.

Like you, in weighing the candidates, I try hard to make the best judgment.

Marketing slogans, advertising, position papers, well-honed stump speeches and carefully crafted press releases can only tell us so much and, many times, steer us from the real issues.

I look for sincerity, community commitment and experience in both academic training and the real world workplace. Brent Johnson demonstrates that he has honed his training working with prosecuting attorneys to investigate cases and prepare them for Grand Juries, supervising in a large-city police department for 21 years, serving as lead detective for San Juan County for the past eight years, handling budget and supervisory responsibilities for a 17-member sector of deputies and amassing important experience in dealing with drug abuse, sexual abuse, and domestic violence issues.

Brent is a “what you see is what you get” man, both personally and professionally. I know him as a caring father and as a sensitive, insightful detective who I watched handle delicate issues with minors with grace and sensitivity but also with strict attention to his duties.

He is a modest man who demonstrates commitment to family and the community every day. He is a strong advocate for women’s rights and neighborhood watch programs. He is a dedicated professional who has clear ideas on how to improve our community’s drug and substance abuse problems, particularly with our island teen and preteen students. He has been forthright about the problems facing the Sheriff’s department and has shown that when he doesn’t have all the answers, he is not afraid to admit it and welcomes dialogue from various avenues of support.

Please join me in voting for Brent Johnson for Sheriff.

Jerry Riley
Hannah Heights

----------------------------
Vote for Brent Johnson
Oct 12 2010, 10:46 AM (as printed in the islandssounder.com)

We are writing to urge you to vote for Brent Johnson for Sheriff. As current and former Victim Advocates in the Prosecutor’s Office, we have personally witnessed three solid reasons to elect Brent. As an investigator, Brent has been:

1. Professional. Brent will NOT be a “good ol’ boy” Sheriff. He is well trained and does the job of San Juan County lead detective with a high level of competence, confidence, and integrity.

2. Thorough. Brent is aware that the tiniest detail can make or break a case, and he is willing to go the extra mile to do the most complete investigation possible.

3. Kind. Brent consistently conducts himself with respect, whether dealing with defendants, victims, witnesses, or other professionals. We have often requested Brent be assigned to conduct victim interviews because he is so consistently professional, thorough, and kind.

San Juan County needs a Sheriff with these qualities, and, in our experience, Brent is the person for the job.

Sandra Burt
Susan Kimball

Eastsound

-------------------------------------
Brent Johnson for Sheriff


As a former County Commissioner and a member of SJC’s Veterans’ Advisory Board, I’ve worked with Brent Johnson and witnessed his leadership qualities, his personal and professional integrity, and his ability to deal with high-pressure scenarios. Brent’s work in law enforcement over three decades—the experiential side of his college degree in law and justice—is both broad and deep: working with prosecuting attorneys to invesigate cases and prepare them for Grand Juries; supervising in a large-city police dept. for 21 years; Lead Detective for San Juan County for the past 8 years; budget and supervisory responsibilities for a 17-member sector of deputies; expert experience in dealing with drug abuse, sexual abuse, and domestic violence issues; Instructor for the Albuquerque Police Academy; and service with the Joint Chiefs in the Pentagon.

This experience is matched by Brent’s commitment to our community, where he’s the Chair of the Veterans’ Advisory Board, a volunteer fire fighter, a Trustee for the Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Services, a member of the Island Red Cross, and a strong advocate for women’s rights, school drug and alcohol abuse-prevention partnerships, and neighborhood watch programs.

We have two good candidates in the current race for Sheriff, but I’m convinced that Brent Johnson is, by a very wide margin, the best qualified to become the next San Juan County Sheriff. Please join me in voting him into this office.

Alan Lichter
Dolphin Bay Road
Orcas Island

----------------------------------------------------------
When interviewed by Richard Walker, editor of  The Journal of the San Juan Islands, Anita Castle, executive director of DVSAS, said Johnson has been an active, valuable board member.


“We work very well together,” she said. “He’s the detective who investigates (domestic violence sexual assault). He’s very professional and very understanding. When something is reported here and it looks like there’s enough information for an investigation, he'll come to our office on Orcas and do the interview. He also refers people to us for advocacy support.


“Brent is very sympathetic and compassionate when it comes to kids. And after years of this kind of work, he doesn't seem to be cynical or jaded.”

-----------------------------------------------

Undersheriff Will Vote For Detective Johnson


To the Editor:


The big showdown for Sheriff is fast upon us and we are very fortunate to have two well qualified candidates to chose from. I am endorsing Brent Johnson for the Office of Sheriff, as I did in the primary. I support Brent for several reasons and would like to share a few with you.


I have supervised Brent for the past eight years and consistently assigned him the most difficult and sensitive cases we have investigated, including child molesting and abuse,fraud and murder.. He has never let us down. Brent consistently produces detailed / accurate cases to forward to the prosecutor and shows compassion and fairness to both victims and suspects. These are charismatics I am sure he will instill in the people he supervises and mentors.


Brent is well prepared for the office of Sheriff by his experience and training. He was a supervisor with a large metropolitan department and holds a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice. He has also received a great deal of training in the area of management and supervision which he put to good use as a supervisor in Albuquerque. Brent has been an active member of our community and volunteers for many local organizations; including the Fire Department, Red Cross and domestic violence.


I believe Brent Johnson is the right person to succeed Bill Cumming and be our first new Sheriff in twenty-four years. I urge you to join me in supporting and voting for him.


Jon Zerby
Undersheriff
San Juan County
---------------------------------------
Letter of Support 10/4/10:

San Juan County voters have an opportunity to elect a new Sheriff. Let’s make the correct choice. For me, Brent Johnson is that choice.


Experience is a key element in determining who is best qualified for the position. Brent possesses 35 years experience in many aspects of law enforcement. He worked in a large city police force, the University of Washington Police Force, and, for the past eight years, as the Lead Detective for the San Juan County Sheriff’s office.


Brent is actively involved in numerous county activities. He serves as Fire Wise Program co-coordinator, a member of the Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Services Board, and Chairman of the San Juan County Veteran’s Advisory Board.


The San County Sheriff must possess character and integrity. I serve with Brent on the Veteran’s Advisory Board and observe him demonstrate both traits on a continuing basis. He always seeks ways to assist veterans, but most importantly, he demonstrates integrity and a concern for detail by ensuring applications are completed properly prior to approval. Brent is also a team builder.

After reviewing each candidate’s previous law enforcement experience, as well as his experience in San Juan County, I chose Brent Johnson.


Ed Lutz
Olga, WA 98279
-------------------------------------------------------
Forwarded e-mail:
Hi -- I was leaning toward Brent Johnson, and now this from Jan is for me decisive. If any of you don't know her, she's worked for years with the Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services. Louise Dustrude


I am now firmly in the Johnson camp. I have had a chance to think about how he has handled and spoken with our clients, especially child victims, as compared to other deputies and he is a clear choice in that regard.

You may spread this around.

Jan Osborn
-------------------------------------------------------------
Supports Brent Johnson for Sheriff

I think Ms. Kivisto says it all. The experience is all in Brent Johnson's corner. We DO live on an international border, and it is not a place for someone who will have to learn while on the job just what a sheriff's responsibilities are. My vote is for Mr. Johnson.

Deborah Silverman Friday Harbor
----------------------------------------------------------------
Supports Brent Johnson for San Juan County Sheriff

Aug 04 2010

I knew Brent this past year as one of the parents at Spring Street School, but I did not interact with him a lot in his professional role as a detective until this spring.

After several meetings with Detective Johnson, I thought of Auden's lines above and reflected on how wonderful it was to see a master at work, practicing his craft with such precision, insight, and wisdom.

By nature, I am not one who offers praise lightly. If anything, I tend to be too critical and set my standards too high. But watching Brent work, was truly a joy to behold. He clearly has not only the character, humility, and high ethical standards that we need on our island, but also has the experience, wisdom, and mastery that comes from years of experience practicing his craft.

To find someone who understands that ethics and law work in tandem, and that it is not enough to simply search for the truth, but, instead, that we must also strive to do what is ethically right as we search, is a wonderful thing indeed!

Louis O'Prussack, MA
Friday Harbor
---------------------------------------------------------

Supports Brent Johnson for Sheriff

As I have watched and listened to the response from the community regarding the candidates running for Sheriff, it has become apparent that other than budget issues, the most common concern being expressed is the use and trafficking of illegal narcotics in our county. This is understandable considering the residual effect that both illegal and prescription drug abuse has had. Perhaps a greater understanding of battling this issue is in order.

As a detective with the Sheriff's Office for the last five years, and the one primarily responsible for executing all operations involving narcotics, I can attest to the Detective Johnson's clear understanding and proactive approach to the problem. We, the public, are informed by headlines.

The operations conducted by Brent and myself are necessarily confidential and fly well below the public's knowledge. If one is to look closely, the significant activity is on a relatively low level compared to larger communities.

As a member of the Skagit County Drug Interdiction Unit, this office is continuously sharing information and ideas with our counterparts. This is a complex issue and unlike in larger communities and police departments, detectives aren't able to simply disguise themselves and walk up to a drug dealer to make a buy. We must therefore depend on long term undercover operations that are both costly and difficult.

Brent has had countless years of experience with these issues and as a result we have successfully completed nearly twenty wired and controlled narcotics purchases in the last year, resulting in several dealers being arrested.

The public is often extremely helpful in sharing confidential information with us regarding suspicious activities taking place. Information is good and needed but direct involvement goes much further.

Brent has been working with informants longer than any of his counterparts in this election have been on the job, and he knows how to get results.

Detective Lachlan Buchanan
San Juan County Sheriff's Office
--------------------------------------------------------

Retired Chief On Johnson For Sheriff


To the Editor:

I highly recommend and support Brent Johnson for Sheriff. I have known Brent since 1979 when we started our law enforcement careers together at the Albuquerque Police Department. Brent is very committed and dedicated to the community he serves, has high ethical standards and integrity, and understands community policing. Brent is always willing to take the time to listen to the community he serves and collaboratively work to solve any issues. He brings experiences of working in a large and small police agency.

Vicky M. Stormo
Retired Chief of Police
Consultant
---------------------------------------------------------
From E-mails to Brent Johnson:

Hi, Brent.
I just want to let you know that I have enjoyed getting to know you via Red Cross and respect what I see as your integrity and thoughtfulness. Even though I am politically "liberal" and I have heard you are politically "conservative", I still feel that (despite the fact we may see things differently!) you are trustworthy and professional.

Keep up the good work!
liza westphalen