Kitsap County Sheriff John Gese will retire in just more than weeks, according to a statement from Kitsap County, months before his term comes to an end and reportedly along with four other members of the KCSO leadership team.
In addition to his own departure slated for June 26, Gese reportedly said Undersheriff Russ Clithero, Chief of Detectives and Support Services Lisa Gundrum, Chief of Patrol Chad Birkenfeld, and Finance Manager Wendy Dutenhoeffer would all depart as well, based on a statement released by Kitsap County on Monday evening, June 8. Clithero reports directly to Gese, and Gundrum and Birkenfeld are two of the four department heads, in addition to the Chief of Corrections and Public Information Officer, according to a KCSO organizational chart.
The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners responded to the announcement Monday evening, calling it “surprising” and describing the situation as urgent…