King County’s search for a new Sheriff took another step forward this week when County Executive Dow Constantine named the three finalists for the appointment. The finalists are:

• King County interim Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall
• Police Chief Charles Kimble of Killeen, Texas
• Major Reginald Moorman of the Atlanta Police Department

From left, interim Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall; Charles Kimble, chief of police in Killeen, Texas; and Reginald Moorman, a major in the Atlanta Police Department. (Courtesy of the finalists)

In November 2020, King County voters changed the Sheriff from an elected position to one appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. Voters had done the opposite in 1996 when they made it an elected countywide position. When Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht’s elected term expired in January, Executive Constantine appointed her deputy, Patti Cole-Tindall, as the interim Sheriff.