Pe Ell Town Marshal to Retire After 39 Years in Law Enforcement

Mike Hartnett’s 39-year law enforcement career has provided him countless, varied experiences.

He’s flown in helicopters, driven armored vehicles, worked search and rescue operations, filled a role on a dive team and spent time in just about every sort of law enforcement division. Each experience provided a bit or a piece of knowledge that would serve him well in Pe Ell, where he’s been the town marshal for nearly five years.

But now, that time is coming to a close. Hartnett will be officially retired on April 1.

It’s something he’s had in mind for a couple of years now. After developing a department that once had a dark cloud hanging over it and turning it into something he’s proud of, Hartnett said he feels at peace with clocking out for the last time.

“This was the end game. This is what I needed to do. I went from a non-department, basically, to where we are now almost five years later. And I feel like: OK, I can go now,” he said.

Before Hartnett got here, his predecessor had been arrested on a driving under the influence charge. There were frequent disagreements between the office and city administration. The public was skeptical of their local law enforcement.

Hartnett said he’s confident he’s remedied the negative connotations the office had carried before he was on the job.

“I wanted to have a good, professional agency, and I think we’re there,” he said.

After more than 30 years of experience — most of which was spent in Chelan County — Hartnett came to Pe Ell in 2014. He had always wanted to head his own department, he said. It was the last thing he wanted to do before his career came to a close — the last box without a check mark.

Along the way, he picked up two reserve officers. His deputy marshal, Dean Rivers, is likely going to become the new town marshal. But first, Hartnett said, Rivers will have to attend the state law enforcement academy or an equivalent institution. That will mean that there will likely be about a four-month period where the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office will have to increase patrols in Pe Ell.

Rivers is a skilled motorcycle mechanic, and helped bring their motorcycle unit off the ground. That unit is another accomplishment Hartnett said he’s proud of. With out-of-town traffic often speeding through town on state Route 6, motorcycles are easier to conceal along the roadway, catching zooming motorists by surprise, he said. They’re also a great opportunity for community policing — allowing an officer to be more visible in the community, and giving them a chance to chat with citizens.

“You can only do your job as a police force under the tolerance of your community. If you’re being intolerable, then the town is not going to like you. You’re not going to get cooperation. You’re not going to get information. … It starts to break down,” Hartnett said.

He has a good relationship with town business owners, establishments, citizens and, maybe most importantly, he said, the school. He works day shifts rather than nights so he can be around when school is in session, just in case they need him.

“That was important to me, to build relationships,” he said.

He praised Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willey and the town council, saying a healthy relationship allowed for steps forward. Even if they disagreed, he said, they were able to talk through differences.

When asked about standout moments in his career, Hartnett said a couple come to mind. One was the time he arrested a guy for driving drunk. About five years later, he encountered the man again. He had since gotten married, had some kids and a good life. He told Hartnett that it was the way he treated him that encouraged him to get the help he needed.

Another moment was back in the 1990s. Hartnett was investigating a child abuse case. A man was convicted and sent to prison, and a young girl — the victim in the case — sent Hartnett a drawing. It was the two of them, holding hands, and a message expressing her thanks.

Hartnett said he’s kept the drawing.

Those were two moments wedged in-between many experiences gained through working as in corrections, as a patrol deputy, a detective, in special operations and more.

“I’ve done more in my career than most cops do, or are allowed to do. I’ve had a lot of opportunities, learned a lot of skills and have a lot of fond memories,” he said.

So after all this time, will he miss the job?

Hartnett said he can’t answer that until he’s gone.

“I’m sure my blood pressure will appreciate it,” he said. He’s got some plans in mind for his post-retirement life, but nothing’s set in stone.

“I’m not a couch potato, so I’ll probably go out and do something else, but it won’t involve carrying a gun or security or any of that stuff,” he said.

He’s going to stick around his home in Chehalis, at least for a little while.

A retirement party is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. March 24 at Evey’s Café. It’s open to the public.

“I’m happy where I am,” he said. “I’m happy where the marshal’s office is in Pe Ell.”