Letter: ‘John Horch lacks the integrity needed to lead the Sheriff’s Office and represent the citizens of Clark County’


Ed and Kristie Owens share their thoughts in the race for Clark County sheriff

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and do not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com

The citizens of Clark County will vote for their next sheriff and they have an important choice to make.  The social climate today towards Law Enforcement requires transparency, leadership that values diversity and embraces integrity, and serving the public interest.  The overwhelming majority of the deputies serve the Clark County community with integrity, honor, and deserve a leader worthy of their service.  John Horch is NOT the leader the deputies deserve.  Horch is NOT the leader the citizens of Clark County deserve. 

Kristie Owens
Kristie Owens

John Horch lacks the integrity needed to lead the Sheriff’s Office and represent the citizens of Clark County. He has a long history of being disciplined for a wide range of issues that the public is unaware of and deserves to know about. Here are some of the Internal Affairs (IA) reports that deserve transparency.  

John Horch was investigated for domestic violence incidents involving his previous wife by the CCSO (IA Report S04-5667) that saw the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office brought in to lead the investigation. That investigation included a dozen documented 9-1-1 calls/responses to his home back then. Ultimately, the investigation hit a dead end because witnesses were too afraid to cooperate with investigators. 

He doesn’t value diversity in the Sheriff’s Office or community and was demoted from sergeant to deputy for destroying Clark County diversity posters at Central Precinct (IA Report S00-901). He has also been disciplined for failing to file required police reports (IA Reports S00-1104 and 00-1105). He was also disciplined for improperly handling evidence (IA Report S94-1005). 

Integrity and transparency are critical for the voters to have before the election. The voters need to make an educated choice when voting for their sheriff. These reports, and all employee evaluations surrounding these IA investigations, should be made available to the public without delay before votes are cast in the election. Both candidates should allow their full personnel files to be made open to the public.  The citizens of Clark County deserve this transparency as much as they deserve a leader worthy of leading the Clark County Sheriff’s Office into the future. Trust between the community and law enforcement requires full transparency.  Any candidate for public office who is unwilling to be fully transparent doesn’t deserve the voters’ support on election day. 

Ed & Kristie Owens
Former Battle Ground residents


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28 Comments

          1. John Clark

            Reynolds has released his entire IA file but since there is nothing bad in it, no one is reporting it. It was sent to 2 different news outlets.

  1. Robert Latter

    Their sons death was absolutely tragic. However, taking your eleven year old daughter across the river to Portland and attempt to coerce a confession from her by force and intimidation, disqualifies you in commenting on anyone else’s character.

    Reply
    1. Wayde

      That’s what John Horsch claimed happened. If you read the entire IA report (John was IA head at the time), it becomes obvious that John Horsch’s intention from the get-go was to prevent CCSO from a lawsuit even if it meant destroying someone’s career after he just lost a child. John was promoted soon after this report came out. Was that a reward for protecting the CCSO? We will never know.

      Reply
      1. Robert Latter

        Yeah I was actually involved on the guild side of Owens’ IA interviews. Observed the video he and Kristi made during their “investigation” into blaming their daughter for the tragedy. More involved than you know. You’re just a clown making crap up as you go. You remove all doubt about whether or not you’re intelligent each time you say something.

        Reply
        1. Wayde

          Another of Horch’s henchmen speaks. Horch looks very dirty. If you are a LEO and you support this corruption, you are also part of the reason trust in the police has fallen off. I want to be able to trust CCSO again. The current leadership is untrustworthy.

          Reply
    2. John Clark

      What about pulling your ex-wife over in a marked patrol vehicle with lights and siren because she refuses to return your call? What would you call that? I’d call it Abuse of Power, at a minimum and likely Stalking. Thats what John Horch did to his ex-wife. The same ex-wife that called 911 twelve times alleging abuse. You were a deputy then and chose to look the other way. Whats that make you?

      Reply
      1. Shelby

        John Clark – Accusations that are not substantiated make what you are writing slander. Actually liable since it’s written.

        Where’s Rey’s file? Why won’t he release it? Why are you siding with child abusers? Is this where you received your information?

        Release Rey’s full file and let’s see what recent investigations are in it.

        Reply
        1. wayde

          Horsch did pull his ex-wife over while on duty. It’s in his IA file that disappeared. He tries to bully anyone who dare disagrees with him. He is a disgrace to CCSO and has no business being Sheriff.

          Reply
          1. Shelby

            If it disappeared, how do you have Please disclose how you came about this “information” and who specifically he has bullied at CCSO. Don’t give me the they are afraid to talk line. If you are going to make accusations, give your sources. I suspect they came from this couple that abused their child. Your credibility is very minimal in my opinion. I don’t tend to believe people that side with child abusers.

          2. Shelby

            That appears to be nothing more than we already know. Are you part of Rey’s campaign? How did you come into possession of said documents?

          3. Wayde

            You must be one of Horch’s henchmen. If you can read those IA documents and still support Horch, then you are hopeless. And if you are a LEO and support that behavior: Shame on you! Good bye.

          4. wayde

            And people are afraid to speak out against Horsch. I considered this as well, but I won’t be bullied. The truth is the truth.

          5. Shelby

            How have you been bullied? You seem like you are but unhinged but please explain how you are bullied.

        2. John Clark

          This isn’t an unfounded accusation or libel, its in Horch’s IA file. Rey Reynolds has released his entire IA file to 2 different news outlets and they didn’t report anything because there was nothing damning to report.

          Reply
  2. Shelby

    Wayde – The IA report is full of interviews from other deputies, health care professionals and people that have nothing to do with any lawsuit. You are a Reynolds supporter – avid as I can see. Too bad you place politics over the protection of a child and side with the child abusers.

    Reply

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