GRANTS PASS, Ore. — Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters has been serving as sheriff for longer than both Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilbertson and Klamath County Sheriff Frank Skrah have been in office.
Gilbertson said Winters was great to work with and highlighted the importance of neighboring counties work together in times of need.
“We’ve had such a good working relationship he’s such a professional and so benevolent. We worked together on many different issues and combined some of our services,” said Sheriff Gilbertson.
Skrah has similar memories, including a shootout in the spring of 2013 in which Jackson County sent resources right away.
“I got on the phone and the next thing I know it’s Mike Winters ‘what can we send you?’ and the next thing I know I’ve got an armored personnel carrier and 25 of his people up here to help out,” said Sheriff Skrah.
Sheriff Skrah said he will extend the hand to the next Jackson County sheriff to be sure partnerships continue.
“I will reach out to the new sheriff and say ‘hey here we are what can we do to help you?’ and build those bridges of friendship and communication,” said Sheriff Skrah.
As for retirement for either Sheriffs Skrah or Gilbertson, it’s popped into their minds. Skrah came out of retirement himself to serve this term as sheriff and said he plans to hang it up when the term expires in a little more than two years.
Gilbertson is in the middle of a re-election campaign and said he’d like to serve one more term before retiring. He said he wants to be a part of Josephine Counties revival.
“I think at some point it’s going to happen here and I’d like to be on board; one to help struggle through the issues we’ve currently been dealing with, and two, that at some point, rebuilding is inevitable and it’s going to happen and I’d like to be a part of it,” said Gilbertson.
