MACC dispatch supervisor retires after 34 years

MOSES LAKE — Becky Stokoe, Multi Agency Communications Center 911 supervisor and former longtime dispatcher, retired Monday. Stokoe worked as a dispatcher for 34 years, starting in 1988. She was one of the original MACC dispatchers, beginning that role in 1998. 

“I liked, you know, helping people and making sure all the responders made it home at night and keeping them safe,” Stokoe said. “I'm going to miss it very much.” 

Stokoe said she began at the Coulee City Ambulance crew, when her fire chief said she would be a good dispatcher. Stokoe said she went and talked to some people and soon after began her first dispatch job. She then worked her way up to lead dispatcher, then a supervisor.  

“I recall several times where I was up working on an ambulance in the middle of the night, and it was her voice, it was on the other end of the radio, and you just felt a wave of comfort knowing that she was out there watching out for you,” Kyle Foreman, GCSO Public Information Officer said.  

In a video posted on the GCSO Facebook, Grant County Fire District 5, Moses Lake Fire Department, Ephrata Fire Department, Moses Lake Police and GCSO showed up to her retirement party with sirens blaring and lights flashing to say goodbye to Stokoe.  

“On behalf of all Grant County First responders, we want to congratulate you on your retirement,” Joey Kriete, GCSO Sheriff, said in the video. “We want to thank you for your commitment, courage, sacrifices and most importantly always making sure everyone made it home. Becky, we wish you all the best and you will always be part of our family. Congratulations to you and your entire family. Love you, Becky.”  

Cristal White, another MACC dispatcher said that Stokoe will be greatly missed in the office. She said that Stokoe was always putting people before herself and was like a mom to the rest of the office. She also said that Stokoe carries a lot of institutional knowledge that will be missed.  

“I think more than anything about her is that she truly cared about people, our dispatchers, our employees, the things she would often be the first one to sign up for a shift on Christmas Day so other people could have it off with their families,” White said. “She would take a two in the morning till six in the morning shift (on her day off), rather than mandate somebody to take it. She was just that kind of person. We kind of thought of her as, kind of the mom around here, taking care of everybody and calling them out if they needed it.” 

Retirement hasn’t fully kicked in for Stokoe; she said that her first day of retirement just feels like another day off. However, she looks forward to being able to camp and spend time outdoors, “enjoying the easy life. 

“It's a great profession, you know, and it's very rewarding,” Stokoe said. “It's a tough job. It's not for everybody, but it is very gratifying.” 

    Becky Stokoe, MACC supervisor retired Monday. Members of her office, such as Cristal White, another MACC dispatcher, say she will be dearly missed.