John Snaza Farewell 01052023

John Snaza & Co.

On January 5, 2023, retiring Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza was honored at a luncheon at the Senior Center of Rainier for his 12 years of service to our community.  John has participated in getting a resource office for our schools and started “Coffee with a Cop” so that our citizens could have direct one-on-one discussions about their community concerns.  

We had a full house with standing room only.  Over 60 citizens from the greater Rainier area, Deputies from Thurston and Lewis Counties joined Gary Edwards, Vivian Eason, John’s brother Rod Snaza and our resource officer Frank Frawley all came to wish John well.  John was presented with gifts, an American Flag, plaque and a box signed by everyone in attendance that was filled with cookies.  

The Senior Center of Rainier was honored to host this event.  We thank John for his dedication and service to the people of Thurston County.  He was not only a great Sheriff, he’s a wonderful human being.  We wish John continued success in his future endeavors.  He will be greatly missed.

Coffee with Sheriff John Snaza September 28, 2022

Join us for Coffee 

with John Snaza

September 28, 2022

at 1:00 PM 

This is our quarterly 

"COFFEE with a COP"

meeting

Please feel free to ask John questions.

The "Coffee with a Cop" meetings usually last

1 - 1.5 hours.  

Held in the Senior Center of Rainier

108 Michigan Street S

Rainier, WA 98576

(360) 446-2258

Coffee with a Cop Wednesday, June 22nd!

 Join us for Coffee with a Cop Wednesday, June 22nd at 1 PM.  

Come & visit with Sheriff John Snaza!

Please feel free to bring your questions and concerns. 

Senior Center of Rainier

108 Michigan St S

Rainier, WA 98576

(360) 446-2258

Thank you for coming to "Coffee with a Cop"

Wonderful turnout for "Coffee with a Cop." started out with 30 people and ended up with over 40. Thank you all for supporting our local sheriffs!

Captain Gordon Phillips has been a deputy for over 27 years.  He answered questions members of our community had about fences, weapons, mail theft, how to report a tip or situation in our neighborhoods.  

He fielded questions about standards for becoming a sheriff.  The standards are high, yet there are many jobs available for people who can't pass the physical to become a deputy.  

Sheriff John Snaza shared details about the Thurston County Sheriffs Department (TCSC).  Both John and Gordon started out as reserve deputies, which is done on a volunteer basis.  You can't tell a reserve officer from a regular, paid deputy.  This is a demanding, volunteer position, so it can be very demanding on family life to be a reserve officer while working a full time job to support your family. 

• The (TCSC) serves Rainier, Bucoda, Rochester and Tenino (after hours).  
• They respond to 1600 - 1700 calls in Rainier alone every year.  
• Rainier pays yearly for the service of 2 deputies.  
• Thurston County has the same number of sheriffs as they did in 1995.
• The population has increased by over 100,000 people since 1995.
• It takes on average 
• 11 minutes and 32 seconds for a sheriff to respond to an "in progress call."
• There are only 7 sheriffs on duty in the morning, only 8 during the middle of the day to cover all of Thurston County.  This is why response time isn't instantaneous.
• The (TCSC) refunds money not spent on the cities they serve.  This year Rochester will receive a refund of $12,000 and Rainier will receive $9,000.
• There are 11 Police Academy classes every year.  The TCSD has six people waiting to go to the academy.   It is hard to recruit new deputies.
• Deputies on the TCSD are volunteers in their communities.  They are ministers, coaches and do a lot of other community service work.
• Law enforcement officers are more trustworthy than clergy.  Only one half of one percent deviate from the high standards set by their departments.

The new jail for Thurston County is open.  It was full to capacity after the second month of operation.  They have 408 beds and need 120 more beds, because violent offenders and people with mental health problems have to be in cells by themselves.  About 50% of prisoners have mental health problems, while 70% of prisoners have a drug problem.

Overflow prisoners go to jails in other counties.  Each county has different training and standards.  Thurston County no longer sends prisoners to the Nisqually jail.  The Nisqually Reservation is a Sovereign Nation and they can't be sued, but Thurston County could be sued.  The TCSD is hoping to pay for more beds in their new jail with a bond.  

A special "Thank You" to Captain Gordon Phillips, Sheriff John Snaza and everyone who attended "Coffee with a Cop" today!  We will do this again, soon!

Pancakes for Snaza September 17th

Johns Snaza was is a motorcycle accident in Montana last week.  He was critically injured.
That being said, he is now upgraded to serious condition and he is expected to make a full recovery.  

John has facilitated "Coffee with a Cop" meetings in Rainier.  George and I. along with many other citizens in our area, admire and respect him.  We wish him a speedy recovery.  He and his family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Pancakes for the Sheriff will be held on Saturday, September 17th from 7 AM - 10 AM at
Mr. Doug's Restaurant in Yelm.  All donations will go to the Snaza Family Support Fund.

Please attend and show your support for John.  He's been here - serving us for a long time.