Adams County Sheriff's Office

06/24/2026

UPDATE:

Subject, Joseph Abbott was located and taken into custody. We want to thank all the agencies that assisted in locating this subject, Othello P.D., Connell P.D. , Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol.

Great work by our Adams County team to include Dispatch.

This investigation is ongoing, further details will be posted as they become available.

SHERIFF WAGNER

06/24/2026

🚨 ATTEMPT TO LOCATE 🚨

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office is currently attempting to locate Joseph A. Abbott.

Abbott is believed to be on foot in the area of the 2200 block of W. Cunningham Road. Deputies have probable cause to arrest Abbott for suspicion of Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

If you see Joseph Abbott, DO NOT approach him. Please call 911 immediately and provide his location and direction of travel if known.

Thank you for your assistance and cooperation.

06/23/2026

We want to extend a sincere thank you to the students at Ritzville Grade School for the thoughtful letters of appreciation sent to our office and to all of our local law enforcement partners.

Your words in these letters, mean more than you know. Taking the time to recognize the work of those who serve your community shows kindness, awareness, and a level of maturity that makes us incredibly proud of our youth here in Adams County.

On behalf of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, thank you for reminding us why this work matters. Your support strengthens our commitment to serve, protect, and build strong relationships across our communities every day.

To the students at Ritzville Grade School, thank you for the letters, the kind words, and the encouragement. We appreciate you more than you know, and we are proud to serve a community that includes you.

SHERIFF WAGNER

06/23/2026

06/23/2026

🇺🇸🎆 With the 4th of July just a few weeks away, the Adams County Fire Marshal’s Office is encouraging everyone to begin planning for a safe and responsible holiday celebration. See the attached flyer for information on rules, fireworks guidelines and safety.

As we prepare to celebrate our Nation’s 250th Birthday, please remember to use fireworks legally, be mindful of dry conditions, and help prevent fires before they start.

Together, we can make this Independence Day safe and enjoyable for everyone in Adams County. 🚒🇺🇸

SHERIFF WAGNER

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, grandfathers, and father figures in our community.

We wish you a safe, happy, and blessed Father’s Day.

SHERIFF WAGNER

06/19/2026

While attending the Lind Combine Derby and Parade last weekend, I took some time to stop by the Adams County Historical Museum. I am glad I did.

Maybe it's because I am getting a little older, but I found myself genuinely fascinated by the incredible collection of memorabilia, photographs, stories, and artifacts that help tell the story of Adams County. As I walked through the museum, I saw furniture, tools, instruments, and everyday items that seem primitive by today's standards, yet they were the very things used by the men and women who settled Lind and helped build the rest of Adams County.

As I walked through the museum, it reminded me of a belt buckle I own from the 1983 Adams County Centennial Celebration. The buckle is one of only 1,000 made at the time for the Coast to Coast hardware in Othello, and features many of the things that helped define Adams County, agriculture, irrigation, wildlife, and the hardworking spirit of the people who built this community. Looking at it now, and then seeing so many historical items preserved in the museum, really brought to life the pride generations before us had in Adams County and the legacy they left behind.

With Father's Day approaching this weekend, it also reminded me of the fathers, grandfathers, and family members who helped build Adams County. Much of our local history is really the story of families passing down values, work ethic, and a commitment to community. Their legacy continues today through the people and communities they helped shape.

It's important to remember where we came from and where we have been. The history of Adams County is filled with hardworking people who built communities, raised families, farmed the land, started businesses, and helped create the county we enjoy today. We are fortunate to benefit from their efforts and sacrifices.

If you haven't visited the Adams County Historical Museum, I encourage you to take the time. You might be surprised by what you find. Whether you're a history buff or not, there is something interesting around every corner.

We are fortunate to have several museums, historical organizations, and genealogy resources throughout the county that work to preserve our heritage and tell the stories of those who came before us.
Consider visiting some of these local resources:
• Adams County Historical Society Museum
205 South I Street, Lind, WA 99341
https://www.adamscountyhistoricalsociety.org

• Washtucna Historical Museum
Main Street, Washtucna, WA 99371

• Northern Pacific Railroad Depot Museum
201 West Main Avenue, Ritzville, WA 99169

• Frank R. Burroughs Home Museum
533 South Adams Street, Ritzville, WA 99169

• Othello Community Museum
76 North Larch Street, Othello, WA 99344
https://www.othellocommunitymuseum.org

• Old Hotel Art Gallery
33 East Larch Street, Othello, WA 99344
https://www.othellocommunitymuseum.org/old-hotel-art-gallery

For those interested in tracing their family roots, Adams County also offers excellent genealogy resources:

• Othello FamilySearch Center
1200 Rainier Street, Othello, WA 99344
https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/wa/othello/1200-rainier-st

• Ritzville FamilySearch Center
606 South Weber Avenue, Ritzville, WA 99169
https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/wa/ritzville/606-south-weber-ave

• Adams County Historical Society Research Archives
205 South I Street, Lind, WA 99341
https://www.adamscountyhistoricalsociety.org

• Local libraries throughout Adams County, including the Othello and Ritzville libraries, maintain historical newspapers, photographs, records, and other valuable resources for family history research.

Whether you are researching your family's roots, learning about local history, or simply curious about those who came before us, these organizations help ensure that the stories of Adams County continue to be preserved and shared with future generations.

Thank you to everyone who volunteers their time to preserve our local history. It matters, and it deserves to be remembered and passed on to future generations.

As we celebrate Father's Day this weekend, I hope everyone takes a moment to appreciate the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures who have helped shape our families and communities. Their influence, much like the history preserved in these museums, leaves a lasting legacy for future generations.

SHERIFF WAGNER

06/18/2026

I’m pleased to announce that Deputy Mark Cameron has been asked to serve as the Sheriff’s Office liaison to the Adams County Sheriff’s Posse, and he has accepted this important responsibility.

In this role, Deputy Cameron will serve as the direct point of contact between the Sheriff’s Office and the Posse, helping ensure clear communication, coordination of activities, and support for training opportunities and community events. A liaison also assists with aligning efforts between both organizations so that volunteer support is effective, organized, and responsive to the needs of the community and the Sheriff’s Office.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Posse is a volunteer organization that plays a valued role in our community. The Posse supports local events, assists with public outreach, helps with search and rescue support when needed, and strengthens our ability to engage with residents across Adams County. Their members give their time and energy in service of something larger than themselves, and we appreciate their continued commitment.

We also want to recognize that the Posse is always looking for new members who are interested in serving their community and supporting the Sheriff’s Office. If you have an interest in volunteering, community involvement, and making a positive impact in Adams County, the Posse is a great opportunity to get involved. We need members from all areas of the county.

Please join me in congratulating Deputy Cameron on his new assignment and thanking the Adams County Sheriff’s Posse for their ongoing service and dedication to our community.

SHERIFF WAGNER

06/16/2026

Today, Deputy Kolby Snyder successfully graduated from the Basic Law Enforcement Academy in Pasco, Washington. This is a significant milestone in his law enforcement career and a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment he has shown throughout the academy.

I was honored to attend the graduation ceremony alongside Undersheriff Coronado, Sergeant Garcia, Dispatcher Allen, and Clerk Bobbi Hunt to congratulate and support our newest academy graduate.

Deputy Snyder began his career with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office in Corrections before transferring to the Patrol Division. We are excited to see his continued growth and progress as he advances his career serving the citizens of Adams County.

As Sheriff, I am proud of the dedication our employees demonstrate in pursuing professional development and excellence in public service. Deputy Snyder’s achievement reflects the commitment we have to building a strong team and investing in the future of our agency.

Please join us in congratulating Deputy Kolby Snyder on this outstanding accomplishment.

If you are looking for a rewarding career in law enforcement, corrections, or emergency communications, we encourage you to explore opportunities with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. We are always looking for dedicated individuals who want to make a difference in their community.

For information about current openings, contact our recruiting team at [email protected].
Congratulations, Deputy Snyder we look forward to your continued success and service to Adams County!

SHERIFF WAGNER

06/16/2026

✅ 911 SERVICE UPDATE ✅

The 911 system issue affecting multiple states has been resolved. We have been advised that repairs were successfully completed in Phoenix, Arizona, and as of 1:30 AM, all systems have returned to normal operation.

911 calls are once again routing as intended, and emergency communications services are functioning normally.

We appreciate everyone’s patience during this incident and thank our communications staff and technical partners for their efforts in resolving the issue.

SHERIFF WAGNER