On Thursday, May 29, 2025, Deputy Dave Ward retired after nearly 23 years of law enforcement service. Dave began his law enforcement career as a Corrections Deputy in Lake County in 2002. He worked for Lake County until 2005 when he transferred to the Warner Creek Correctional Facility. In 2006 he went back to work for Lake County. In 2007 he was hired as a Corrections Deputy until he transferred that same year to Harney County Community Corrections as a Parole and Probation Officer. In 2010 he was hired in Harney County as a Patrol Deputy. In 2015 he was appointed Sheriff of Harney County. He was then elected to the office in 2016. He served as Sheriff until 2020, when he resigned and was hired as a patrol deputy with our agency that same year. He has worked the last 5 years in our North County and Reedsport offices, as well as serving as a Search & Rescue Deputy with our agency. In addition to his law enforcement career, Dave’s service began with service to our country. He joined the United States Army at the age of 18. He served combat tours in Somalia and Afghanistan. At his retirement from the military in 2013, he had more than 21 years of combined service between the United States Army, Oregon Army National Guard and the United States Army Reserves. For the last three years Dave has served as a school board member for the North Douglas School District. Dave has been married to his wife for twenty-one years. Together they have raised four children. We wish Dave the very best in his well-earned retirement.Photos from Douglas County Sheriff's Office's post