Sheriff’s deputies gearing-up for “tips”

Kitsap County Sheriff’s deputies will once again be gearing-up in their duty uniforms to assume slightly different “roles,” this coming weekend, as they don aprons, take meal orders and carry serving trays as part of a nationwide law enforcement fund raising effort to generate money specifically for Special Olympics.

Entitled “Tip-a-Cop,” this yearly fundraising event has deputies serving as volunteer waiters at the Red Robin Restaurant, 10455 Silverdale Way NW, Silverdale, on Saturday, April 17, from noon until 8 p.m.

Money earned by the waiters, in the form of tips or gratuities, is donated to Special Olympics Washington and directly benefits Kitsap County Special Olympics athletes.

The deputies donate their services during off-duty hours. The program is supported by both the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office and the Kitsap County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild.

Last year, sheriff’s deputies collected more than $5,000 in tips for Special Olympics Washington… one of the higher amounts of customer donations received by any Washington State Red Robin Restaurant during the “Tip-a-Cop” fundraising effort.

The “Tip-a-Cop” program is but one part of the overall, year-long, Law Enforcement Torch Run Campaign (LETR), celebrating its 29th anniversary this year, which supports Special Olympics. In addition to “Tip-a-Cop,” the torch run campaign includes an international series of relay runs conducted by more than 85,000 law enforcement officers in 35 countries to raise funds and public awareness for Special Olympics.

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State trooper hopefuls endure tryouts

Saturday, Oregon State Police were looking for the best and the brightest to join their force.  OSP held entry level testing for 308 men and women at Canby High School.  Phase one was a physical fitness test, comprised of timed push-ups, sit-ups and a two mile run.

“What appeals to me is the way I looked up to police officers when I was a little kid,” said applicant Damon Ashbeck.  “Now they’ll get to look up to me.”

For Ashbeck, failing was not an option.  He’s dreamed of becoming a state trooper for as long as he can remember.  He breezed through the push-up portion of the test.  But when it came to sit-ups, he barely made it.

“It was real close. It was real close,” Ashbeck said. “I had five seconds left and I still had to do two.”

Lt. Mike Paterson said just 50 percent of applicants usually pass the entry level test.  But Saturday, an impressive 60 percent made the cut.

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