PASCO, Wash. – Tensions are escalating between the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and Sheriff Jim Raymond. Allegations of assault have been made against Sheriff Raymond by his former colleague, Keilen Harmon, the new Franklin County Jail Administrator.
Sheriff Raymond described the events of Monday, April 28, from his perspective. He stated, “Well, we’re going to go up to my office and talk and, you know, we’ll go from there while I’m recording you, I you can go ahead and record me all you want. Free country.”
Raymond recounted entering his office with Harmon, who was recording him. “And I told him, I don’t give you permission to record me in the office of sheriff, this is my office,” Raymond said.
Harmon alleged that Sheriff Raymond assaulted him. However, Raymond explained, “I put the phone outside on a desk, sitting just outside the door, and we sit there and had a discussion about how it is we were going to go retrieve the weapons.”
Sheriff Raymond described the alleged incident, saying, “We both got up and he, well, his chest was he even, you know, he was under stress. It’s something, you see, when people are under stress and all this stuff, things. So I put my arm around him, around his shoulders and actually patted him on the chest.”
Raymond emphasized that this was the extent of the physical contact. “And we walked out. I assume he picked his phone up and kept recording,” he added. Attempts to reach Harmon for comment were unsuccessful, as he stated his attorney advised him not to comment.
Sheriff Raymond, however, made his stance clear, saying, “None of this is his fault. None of it’s my fault. None of it’s, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and its employees for this whole thing lies at the feet of the board of Franklin County commissioners and their new county administrator.”
Despite claiming Harmon isn’t at fault, Raymond acknowledged a change in their relationship. “If I’m in a gun battle in the street, I absolutely have to rely on people are going to take my direction,” he said.
Sheriff Raymond’s actions have caught the attention of the Washington Coalition for Police Accountability. They questioned his adherence to judicial orders, stating, “If he doesn’t step down, what’s to prevent him or any other sheriff from doing the same with whatever law they feel isn’t just.”
Raymond argued that the judge’s temporary restraining orders are unjust, explaining, “They don’t have the power to resolve a dispute. Without all the parties agreeing.”
A hearing on May 8 will determine the legitimacy of the disputed court orders. Sheriff Raymond assured that public safety remains the top priority despite the department’s internal conflicts. He expressed doubt about restoring a strong working relationship with the Board of County Commissioners.
