Warden welcomes new police chief

Rick Martin has served the Warden Police Department since 1998. He was promoted to police chief and assumed the role Feb. 9. Photo by Candice Boutilier/Columbia Basin Herald

by Candice Boutilier<br
| March 2, 2009 8:00 PM

WARDEN — Rick Martin is the new Warden police chief, replacing the retiring chief, Ken Krebs.

Forty-nine-year-old Martin began the new job Feb. 9.

“I think everybody who’s doing a job should seek to move to the top,” he said. “It’s just a natural progression.”

Martin was one of several who vied for the job. He was hired by Mayor Roldan Capetillo.

“I really appreciate the mayor selecting me for the position,” Martin said. “He had several people to chose from.”

The new police chief is very familiar with Warden. He began as a patrol officer with the department in 1998 and was promoted to sergeant shortly afterwards.

Martin is originally from California and made his way to Warden after 20 years with the U.S. Army, where he served as a military police officer in the U.S. and overseas.

He served in Korea, Haiti and Germany.

During his service, he saw things most people only hear about and read in school text books.

Martin literally watched the Berlin Wall come down.

“It was a huge celebration,” he said. “They had been living behind this wall separated from their families. People were reunited.”

Martin said his wife Carolyn was able to travel overseas with him and his twin daughters were born in Berlin, Germany.

After military service, he moved to Tacoma, Wash., where he began seeking law enforcement employment.

He was hired by the Warden Police Department in 1998.

Since then, he’s become firmly rooted in the community.

Martin said he chose to stay in the community to raise his daughters and son and because he and his wife are involved in various activities.

Martin serves the Warden School Board and coached softball and soccer for a few years.

Carolyn served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT with Grant County Fire District 4.

Martin recalls his first emergency call with the department was a domestic violence incident. It was simple and he followed standard procedure.

He said the best part about the job is there is always something new to do on a daily basis. He also appreciated when an incident is resolved, where someone is helped and unharmed.

“Warden is comprised of good and honest people,” Martin said. “I just want to make Warden a place where people can live a happy and peaceful life.”

He also hopes to get the community more involved with the police department.

“We’ll continue to have block watch meetings,” he said. “We’ll answer any questions they have.”

Martin said police are generally encouraging citizens to get to know their neighbors, alert police of criminal activity and to notify police if they plan to leave their home vacant for a period of time.

Two patrol officers were also welcomed to the police department recently by the two chiefs. Officer Kelly Gregory was hired by Martin and officer Mike Earney was hired by Krebs.

For more information about beginning a block watch program in Warden, residents can contact the police department at 509-349-2232.