Benton County Undersheriff announces he’ll run for Sheriff

Another candidate has officially thrown his hat in the ring for the Benton County Sheriff position Tuesday.

Undersheriff Jerry Hatcher, who is endorsed by the current Sheriff, says if given the job, he plans to create a Facebook page, focus on gang activity and continue mental health efforts at the jail.

"We are looking at all resources that we have that we could bring to bear on this terrible problem because it's not going to go away, there is only two mental health hospitals in the state and they are full and what ends up happening is mental health people end up coming to jail, way more than they should," says Hatcher.

Also Tuesday morning, County Commissioners voted for Hatcher as the interim Sheriff when Steve Keane leaves April 1st, until they decide on the candidate to finish out the term. Hatcher says he believes that is because the process is expected to take well into April to find someone to finish up Keane's term. Despite whoever is picked to finish up the term, Hatcher says he plans to run for Sheriff this fall.

Sergeant Ken Lattin from the Kennewick Police Department has also said he wants to be considered for the position.