Former Sheriff Bob Holter Dies at Age 73

News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: (360)427-9670 Ext 313 or (360)275-4467 Ext 313
Authority:  Chief Deputy B.Dean Byrd

 Case Number:  N/A

Shelton, WA - Monday, October 12, 2009

Former Mason County Sheriff, Bob Holter, died at Memorial Hospital in Yakima Washington on October 11, 2009 at the age of 73.  Sheriff Holter began his law enforcement career in 1958 with the Seattle Police Department.  He served there over 25 years retiring as a Detective Lieutenant in 1985.

During Sheriff Holter’s tenure with Seattle Police Department he oversaw the investigation of the worst mass murder case in the State of Washington.  On February 13, 1983, three suspects shot and killed 13 people at the Wah Mee Social Club in the Chinatown District of Seattle.  Holter and his team successfully investigated this dreadful case and brought all three perpetrators to justice.  This case was a particularly difficult investigation because detectives had to build trust that did not traditionally cross cultural borders at that time.

In 1986, after having moved to Shelton, Sheriff Holter ran for and was elected to the Office of Sheriff which he assumed on January 1, 1987.  He served one term and left office on December 31, 1990.  During his tenure as Mason County Sheriff, Bob Holter led the effort to make the Mason County Sheriff’s Office one of the first accredited sheriff’s offices in the State of Washington.  Accreditation was achieved in 1990.  Also during his tenure in office, Sheriff Holter oversaw the acquisition and implementation of the computerized dispatch and record keeping system still used by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office today.  After serving his term as Sheriff, Holter began doing part time law enforcement consulting work for Native American Tribes in Washington State.

Sheriff Holter served as interim Chief of Police in the City of Shelton between April, 2000, and April, 2001, following then Chief of Police, Johnny Johnston’s appointment to City Administrator.

In August, 2001, Sheriff Holter accepted an appointment to the Mason County Commission to fill the unexpired term of Mary Jo Cady.  Holter served on the Mason County Commission until January, 2002.  He did not run for election.

Sheriff Bob Holter was also a 25 year Rotarian and a Paul Harris Fellow.  He was a member of the National Sheriff’s Association and the Washington Association of Sheriff’s and Police Chiefs.

Former Sheriff Bob Shepherd commented that “Losing Sheriff Holter is much like losing John Wayne.  He was a man legends are made of.”  Sheriff Casey Salisbury said “Sheriff Holter was bigger than life.  He touched a lot of people and truly made a difference.  We will all miss him very much.

A memorial service is planned to celebrate Bob Holter’s life at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 24, 2009, at the Shelton High School Auditorium.

For those planning on attending the memorial service, please RSVP to: wadam@co.mason.wa.us  Thank you.