Grant County cuts deputy position

GRANT COUNTY — Due to budget cuts, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office is eliminating at least two positions.

The positions are empty and will not be filled because of cuts in the Grant County budget, Grant County Undersheriff John Turley said. It’s possible more positions will be eliminated.

A vacant deputy position left by a deputy who joined the Secret Service will not be filled and the position currently filled by an interim police officer, deputy Earl Romig’s previous position, will not be filled.

Twenty-six year old Romig left duty after being shot through the back while hunting Jan. 10.

Robbie Jo Marcher, 38, was accused in Grant County Superior Court of shooting Romig.

The interim position will no longer be filled as of January.

As a result of the elimination of positions, and the strong possibility for more, the department will have to reorganize internally.

Some deputies will be taken from traffic units and placed back onto regular patrols, Turley said.

A few months ago, the sheriff’s office was planning to restart the street crimes unit to place an emphasis on gangs again but due to budget cuts, it won't happen, he said.

“The street crimes unit has gone to Hell in a hand basket,” he said.

As a result, deputies specializing in gang activity will most likely place their focus on traffic or regular patrols.

In the past the street crimes unit worked to obtain gang intelligence, identify gang members, document where they live and provided heavy patrols in gang-saturated neighborhoods, such as the neighborhoods in the area commonly referred to as the Larson Air Force Base.