Sequim Police see staffing changes

By Sequim Gazette Staff • September 22, 2021 1:30 am

With one staffer retiring, another added and a third getting promoted, the Sequim Police Department saw a number of changes in recent weeks, the City of Sequim announced last week.

Sgt. John Southard retired from the Sequim Police Department on Aug. 26 after 14 years of service to the citizens of Sequim. Southard began his time with the Sequim Police Department as a volunteer before being hired full time in 2007.

In 2017, he was promoted to the position of patrol sergeant where he oversaw his patrol shift operations, partnered with Emergency Management and supervised the Field Training Officer program.

Southard also served as a Sergeant First Class in the Army National Guard Reserves with a deployment to Afghanistan in 2011-2012 as a combat advisor, retiring from the Army in 2018 after 21 years of service.

In addition to his law enforcement and military service, Southard was a volunteer with Clallam County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, and previously worked at the Marine and Coastal Research Laboratory (Battelle) in Sequim.

On Sept. 1, Jeff Thaxton was promoted to Patrol Sergeant. Thaxton has been a police officer for nearly nine years, serving the cities of Midlothian, Texas, and Port Angeles before joining the Sequim Police Department in 2018.

Thaxton is a department Marksman and Field Training Officer. Prior to his law enforcement career, he was self-employed, owning and running a construction business and Victory Gym and Fitness Inc., as well as having a successful music career as a vocalist and guitarist.

Daniel Martinez joined the Sequim Police Department as their newest officer on Aug. 16.

Martinez previously worked as a police officer for the Los Angeles Police Department and Bainbridge Island Police Department. Prior to his career in law enforcement Martinez spent seven years working as an emergency medical technician.