Sheriff Derek Sanders served the citizens of Thurston County as a Deputy for six years before securing an election win to become Thurston County’s 24^th Sheriff. Sheriff Sanders ran on a platform of improving employee morale, greater office transparency, and introducing technology-based solutions for problems facing our community. During his tenure as a Deputy, he engaged in community service events, was awarded the Medal of Valor and two Lifesaving awards, and was routinely commended by both victim’s and those suspected of committing crimes for his relentless effort to solve crime while respecting the rights of both parties.

Sheriff Sanders prides himself on being known regionally as a “crime magnet”, regularly finding himself in the middle of active police work both as a Deputy and the Sheriff. Pulling from childhood experiences, Sheriff Sanders maintains high expectations of both state and county improvement in the areas of domestic violence, homelessness, and poverty.

Sheriff Sanders enjoys working on cars, boating, and engaging with community members.

 

Undersheriff Ruben Mancillas has served the citizens of Thurston County for 25 years. Undersheriff Mancillas started his law enforcement career as a reserve police officer with Molalla Police Department in Oregon where he grew up. After graduating high school, Undersheriff Mancillas enlisted in the U.S. Army where he selflessly served over 20 years as an Explosives Ordinance Disposal Specialist (EOD). Undersheriff Mancillas retired from the National Guard after serving as the First Sergeant of his EOD Company. Undersheriff Mancillas deployed numerous times throughout his military career. Undersheriff Mancillas completed the Basic, Advanced and Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Courses; he received the Basic, Senior, and Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal, and Team Leader Certification Awards. During his tenure with TCSO, Undersheriff Mancillas has held the rank of Narcotics Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Administrative Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, and Chief of the Field Operations Bureau. Undersheriff Mancillas has served as an Animal Cruelty Investigator, Field Training Officer, Air Operations Deputy, Firearms Instructor, Less Lethal Instructor, Firearms Program Manager, Radar / Lidar Instructor, Marine Service Unit Operator, Marine Service Unit Manager, Clandestine Meth Lab Operator, SWAT Team Operator/Leader/Commander. Undersheriff Mancillas has attended training for First Level Supervision, Middle Management, Command College, Executive Academy, National Tactical Officer Team Commander, and FBI LEEDA Supervisor/Command/Executive Courses. He has career level certifications in First Level Management, Middle Management, and Executive Management from CJTC. Undersheriff Mancillas received the Medal of Courage and Lifesaving Award. 

 

Executive Aide Kari Knies served the citizens of Thurston County for 7 years before resigning to take a job with the State of WA a few months ago. Kari worked as an Executive Assistant for The Valley Athletic Club for 7 years, assisting the owner with the successful operation of the fitness facility in addition to helping set up new venture businesses. Kari was hired on with TCSO in 2015 and served as a Legal Assistant in Records, Warrants, Civil, and Public Disclosure Request Unit (PDR). Kari has served on a number of committees during her time with TCSO pertaining to GEO Data Sheriff Focus Group, County Safety Committee, TCSO Phone App, PDR Unit Training Manual, RMS Replacement Committee, TCDSA Executive Board Secretary and Support Vice President, and was an integral part in TCSO’s web page revamp. Kari has served as a temporary supervisor within support services, and has also filled in as the TCSO Executive Aide position on numerous occasions.  

Chief Adam Seig has served the citizens of Thurston County for 28 years. Chief Seig started his law enforcement career as a Community Service Officer and Reserved Police Officer with the Lacey Police Department. After graduating high school, Chief Seig attended community college and received his associates degree. Chief Seig has served in law enforcement for 28 years with the Lacey Police Department and the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. During his tenure in law enforcement, Chief Seig has held the ranks of Narcotics Detective and Patrol Sergeant. Chief Seig has served as a Field Training Officer, MP-5 Instructor, Tactics Instructor, Active Shooter & Mass Casualty Response Instructor, Field Training Program Manager, Clandestine Meth Lab Operator, Military Equipment Acquisition Manager, Traffic Supervisor, Marine Patrol, Explorer Advisor, Reserve Police Officer Training Coordinator, SWAT Team Operator/ Assistant Team Leader/ Team Leader, and Assistant Team Commander. Chief Seig has attended training for First Level Supervision, Middle Management, Leading Police Organizations, National Tactical Officer Associate Team Commander, FBI LEEDA Command and has 20 years of labor law experience. 

 

 

Chief Carla Carter has served the citizens of Thurston County for 21 years. Chief Carter has held many roles within her time at TCSO, to include: Field Training Officer, founding member of the Animal Cruelty Team, Bike Patrol, Explorer Advisor, Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Public Information Officer, Operations Lieutenant, Commander of the Crisis Negotiation Team, CERT team Commander, served on Honor Guard and Peer Support Team Leader. Chief Carter has also managed several departments to include our civil division, firearms, public disclosure, evidence, and warrants. She is a strong advocate in her community and has served as president on the Board of Directors of Safeplace, and Board of Directors of the Dispute Resolution Center. Chief Carter has sponsored two (2) littles with Big Brothers Big Sisters, is a Camp Hope Mentor, has participated in the Special Olympics Torch Run, Adopt a Family, created a 501C3 for our K9 units, and regularly attends charity functions.  Chief Carter has served on victim support task forces for human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, and child victims. She has been recognized as a Women of Excellence by Soroptimists, a Champion for Kids, and has received the Sheriff's Award of Excellence and the Domestic Violence Amethyst Awards. Chief Carter received her BA from Western Washington University and Oregon State University. She has graduated Command College, the Women's Leadership Institute, FBI LEEDA Trilogy, 21st Century Leadership in Policing, and Guardian Officer Leadership Development. 

 

Chief Jenny Hovda has served the citizens of Thurston County for 27 years. Chief Hovda started her corrections career with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office as a Master Control Operator after graduating from Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Law and Justice.  She is a strong leader committed and passionate about fostering a positive and supportive work environment. Chief Hovda is dedicated to the wellness, professional development, and mental health support of staff, and developed the Corrections Peer Support Team. During her tenure, Chief Hovda has held the ranks of: Corrections Deputy, Corrections Sergeant, and Corrections Lieutenant. She has served specialty duty assignments to include Court and Options. Chief Hovda was a member of the Thurston County CISM Team, served as union treasurer and union president, and was a CIT instructor. She has received two Life Saving Awards and has been Supervisor of the Year. 

 Chief Heidi Thomsen Thomsen has served the citizens of Thurston County for 8 years. Chief Thomsen currently serves in the role of Financial Operations & will be retained from the previous administration. Chief Thomsen started her career with the State of WA holding clerical positions with The Department of Natural Resources in 1995 before working as a Budget Management Analyst. Chief Thomsen then served the WA State Patrol as a Budget Management Analyst, managing 215.75 FTE’s and $48.3 million. Chief Thomsen became the Senior Budget Management Analyst for WA State Department of Social and Health Services for the Children’s Administration Budget (2,488.6 FTE’s, $991 million). Chief Thomsen returned to WA State Patrol as the Budget Manager in 2007, overseeing the entire WSP agency budget containing 2,422 FTE’s and $512 million. In 2014, Heidi joined TCSO as a Chief where she currently serves to this day. Chief Thomsen is responsible for organizing and controlling all financial aspects of the Sheriff’s Office. Chief Thomsen is involved in all things finance at TCSO, including long term financial planning, legal compliance, and analysis and interpretation on revenue and expenditure data trends. Chief Thomsen is earning her master’s degree in Public Affairs from The University of Missouri – Columbia, is a Certified Fraud Examiner, & serves on the Thurston County Fair Board & Thurston County K9 Unit Foundation.