Following the tragic deaths in Louisiana, Minnesota, and Texas this week, Jefferson County Sheriff David Stanko opened his home to KING5 in the hopes of offering a window into who he is and why he does the job.
Sheriff Stanko wears the Jefferson County logo near his heart.
He’s spent roughly four decades in law enforcement and been awarded a Medal of Valor, but he believes one of his biggest accomplishments has nothing to do with his career.
Stanko and his wife are about to celebrate 50 years of marriage.
“As you know, police have one of the highest rates of divorce, alcoholism, suicide. It’s a tough job,” Stanko said.
His wife Lynne, admitted the job has brought its challenges to their family life.
“I think it’s really difficult for police officers to communicate to their spouses because there are things you they don’t want you to know,” Lynne Stanko said.
Lynne said she learned the hard way there we also things, that sometimes, she was better off not knowing.
“I heard him say these words on the scanner and I called the station,” Lynne Stanko said.
Sheriff Stanko was okay but another day not long after would truly test their marriage.
“Losing Tommy was horrible,” Sheriff Stanko remembered.
Detective Tommy De La Rosa was Sheriff Stanko’s partner when he served on the police force in Fullerton, California.
“It was a really hard time for our marriage because he was so depressed and not really able to relate to me about that,” Lynne Stanko remembered.
“I can still look up and see Tommy’s blood dripping off Kevin’s face,” Sheriff Stanko said. “He ran out between two buildings where, uh,” Sheriff Stanko paused silenced by emotion.
“He can’t even talk about it now,” Lynne Stank interjected.
“Gun fire blew up his heart,” Sheriff Stanko continued. “Those things stay with you, but it drives me toward wanting to make a difference in law enforcement. So that’s why a grandpa, 68-years-old, I’m still here.”
The sacrifice and the risk of being an officer is not lost on Sheriff Stanko.
“I do believe in prayer and I do hold up the officers and the deputies and men and women every day,” Stanko said.
He said he also prayers for the community, especially in light of this week’s events. “It breaks my heart. It gives me more of a passion for trying to send the message out to my community that, ‘Look, we are here to help you.”
Stanko said he believes an officer’s primary purpose is to be a guardian.
Stanko watched the events unfold this week from the safety of his home with his wife.
Lynne commented that she told him she was, “glad he was home with me.”
While, Sheriff Stanko is no longer regularly on the streets in his role as Jefferson County Sheriff, he says a day doesn’t go by that he doesn’t reflect that each day with his family is a gift.
Now, in the leadership role he currently maintains he says he hopes to build greater trust within the community and a true partnership in which those he serves can rest assured he is, “committed to protecting and upholding the constitutional rights of all.”
