Washington state Sen. John Lovick has endorsed challenger Kevin Burton-Crow for Thurston County sheriff, his campaign announced Monday.
“I spent 31 years as a Washington State Trooper and six years as Snohomish County Sheriff. I know what professional law enforcement leadership looks like, and I know what it takes to build a department that earns the trust of the people it serves,” Lovick said in a prepared statement. “Kevin Burton-Crow has that foundation. His military service, his years working inside the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, and his commitment to training and accountability are exactly what this county needs in its next sheriff.”
Lovick, D-Mill Creek, represents the 44th Legislative District in Snohomish County. The district does not include any areas of Thurston County, but Lovick does share a political party with Burton-Crow, who is running as a Democrat for the non-partisan sheriff’s position.
“Senator Lovick has dedicated his career to public safety in Washington, and he has seen from the inside what it takes to lead a sheriff’s office with integrity,” said Burton-Crow. “His confidence means a great deal to me, and I will work every day to be worthy of the trust the people of Thurston County place in me.”
Burton-Crow is a retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class with 20 years of military service, including deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates. He has served the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office for 11 years, first as a volunteer reserve deputy and now as a special victims detective. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from The Evergreen State College and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Troy University.
Burton-Crow’s campaign is built on four priorities: modernizing the sheriff’s office with nationally recognized professional standards; responsible budgeting and fiscal transparency; advanced deputy training in de-escalation and decision-making; and deeper community engagement through citizen academies and community advisory groups.
Burton-Crow is endorsed by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Captain’s Association and serves as president of the Thurston County Deputy Sheriff’s Association. In 2023, the American Legion named him Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
Incumbent Sheriff Derek Sanders holds endorsements from the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit, the Tumwater Police Guild and the Tumwater Firefighters IAFF Local 2409 union, as well as Lt. Gov. Denny Heck, Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, state Sen. Jessica Bateman, state Rep. Lauren Davis and more.
