Politics & Government

Starry Seeking Another Term As Washington County Sheriff

Dan Starry was named sheriff in May 2017 following Bill Hutton's retirement and was elected in 2018 to continue serving in the role.

(Renee Schiavone/Patch)

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MN — Washington County Sheriff Dan Starry will try to extend his term in the office after announcing Tuesday that he is seeking re-election in November.

Starry said it is “his honor and privilege” to serve Washington County as sheriff and praised his “amazing staff of 268 dedicated individuals committed to providing high-quality public safety services” to residents.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office hired Starry in 1993, and he has held every rank in the department over the last 29 years. He has spent his entire career with the office, according to a message posted to his campaign’s Facebook page.

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Starry was named sheriff in May 2017 following Bill Hutton’s retirement and was elected to continue serving in the role in 2018.

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Starry said the safety of Washington County communities will remain his “top priority” if re-elected, and he will continue to promote “strong communication and community engagement” to build relationships.

“I believe that effective communication and sound decision-making are key to building relationships with our community partners,” Starry said in a statement. “We continue to work hand-in-hand with our citizens to ensure that everyone feels safe, stays engaged, and is treated with respect, integrity and dignity.”

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Starry said he will also work to “combat the opioid crisis” through collections of unwanted and unused prescription medications and enforcing drug laws; fight sex trafficking and human trafficking with “strong enforcement and victim-based services; and reduce the stigma of mental illnesses and boost access to services.

The sheriff also said he hopes to improve his office’s use of technology to track and arrest cyber criminals “who hide behind their computer or cell phones, targeting our most vulnerable citizens.”

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Washington County Commissioner Stan Karwoski commented Tuesday on Starry’s campaign announcement, telling the sheriff: “You have my full support!”

Starry lives in Stillwater with his wife, Jeanice, and two daughters. He chairs the executive board of the North Central High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area’s program for Minnesota and Wisconsin and serves as president of the United Way of Washington County East’s executive board.

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