Sheriff’s Office welcomes new leadership

With a combined 30 years of service in law enforcement, Dale Wagner and Adolfo Coronado are now serving as the leaders for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.

Wagner stepped into the vacated position of sheriff following the retirement of John Hunt, before being selected by the Adams County Commissioners to serve in the role for the remainder of the term. After his appointment, Wagner selected Coronado to serve as the undersheriff for the county, and the two are uniting to improve the safety and well-being of the county office and the residents it serves to protect.

Twenty years ago, Wagner began his career in law enforcement after deciding to pursue the career at a young age. With ACSO, Wagner has served as a detective for eight years and undersheriff for two years. During that time, Wagner worked primarily in Othello, but he has a working knowledge of the whole county and has worked with people from the northern portion of the county for many years.

Outside of law enforcement, Wagner remained active in the community serving as a coach for various sports teams. While coaching, Wagner met Coronado and encouraged him to join ACSO. Coronado took the opportunity and worked to join the department.

Ten years later, Coronado has proved to be a strong leader in Othello by leading the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and working well with his coworkers. Wagner said he selected Coronado as his second in command due to his ability to listen and relate the needs of the officers, and because of the duo’s camaraderie.

“We think a lot a like,” Coronado added. “We’re willing to learn from each other and bounce ideas off each other.”

Wagner and Coronado have put an emphasis on communication during their terms, not only between each other but also the members of the department and members of the communities they serve. With improved communication and understanding the needs of all those involved in order to create a safer environment, Wagner said the department can begin to make improvements to unify the public and deputies.

Within the department, Wagner said they are working to encourage their deputies to become leaders and voice their opinions and ideas. He said the department strives to provide the highest level of service and professionalism possible, and that has to start with leadership.

ACSO relies on the public to keep them updated regarding issues in the community, but Wagner said the department also relies on residents to provide input on county issues.

After receiving a report regarding the inadequacies of the current jail facility, Wagner said the department needs input from the residents of how to proceed and also requires their support to move forward if a new jail is developed. Because the budget is short, Wagner said, the department needs the public to inform them about what the primary areas of need are.

To improve community interaction, Coronado and Wagner have been attending a variety of public meetings, as well as organization’s meetings. These meetings have provided the department with insight to individual community needs and ideas of how the department can improve in management of these issues.

Wagner said last summer, ACSO improved on increasing patrols and assisting farmers with trespassers and poaching calls. In northern Adams County, Wagner explained trespassing calls during hunting season tends to be one of the busiest times for deputies.

Throughout the last summer, Wagner explained the ACSO also improved communication with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to assist with poaching calls and investigations. Wagner said he believes these efforts will assist the department next year when they have similar calls.

The most important aspect of their job, for both Wagner and Coronado, is becoming involved within the communities of Adams County. The duo is also encouraging ACSO deputies and sergeants to strive for the same level of involvement and provide a professional, but approachable, face for the department.

Wagner, as a father of four, and Coronado, a father of five, both understand the importance of community and safety within the county. Both men have served as coaches for numerous sports teams and see the significance of providing positive activities for youth.

While the department looks to move forward under new leadership, Wagner and Coronado are focused on resolving the two largest issues they believe ACSO faces. Wagner said overall, the budget is the largest issue for the department, as it affects the amount of overtime for personnel.

It also hinders the upgrades to facilities, Wagner said, like the jail. Since being appointed Sheriff, Wagner has worked with the Adams County Commissioners on the budget. Coronado is now assisting Wagner with creating a budget for the upcoming year.

The second largest obstacle the department has faced is staffing. Wagner explained there has been a lot of turnover in the ACSO positions, as well as times of being short staffed.

“There has been quite a bit of turnover,” Coronado said. “We’re working on making guys want to stay.”

Coronado said they are looking into providing more training opportunities, as well as specialized duties that could attract deputies to the position. Both Wagner and Coronado expressed a desire to hire more local reidents not only to support the local economy, but also increase the likelihood of having long-term employees.

One of the largest achievements of the department in the past year is the addition of a K-9 unit in the county, Wagner said.

With a solid core of deputies and sergeants in the department, Wagner and Coronado are optimistic about the future of ACSO and their work within the local communities. Coronado said morale is high within the department, and all personnel are interested in making Adams County a safer place.

In the upcoming months, Wagner said the department is focusing on increased community interaction, combating drugs and vandalism, and improving on investigating. The goal for ACSO is to build a bridge between law enforcement and citizens, and improve on those relationships.