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Dave Reichert
U.S. Representative
Washington State’s 8th Congressional District
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Congressman Dave Reichert carries law and order principles to our nation’s capital as the popular US Representative for Washington State's Eighth Congressional District. With over 30 years of law enforcement experience including eight years as Sheriff, Dave has delivered a remarkable record of public service to the citizens of western Washington. Decisive leadership, integrity and tireless dedication are the hallmarks of Reichert’s service as representative to the 109th session of the United States Congress. His committee assignments, Homeland Security, Transportation and Science give Dave a strong base of influence in Congress benefiting his eighth district constituents. In his first term, Reichert has already been named Chairman of the Emergency Preparedness subcommittee, only the 6th freshman in the history of the US Congress to gain such an honor. Reichert was also rated the 2nd most powerful Washington State US Representative by Congress.org.
From 1971-1976, Dave Reichert served his country in the US Air Force Reserve including active duty in 1976. He began his career with the King County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol officer in 1972. During his 30-plus year career with one of the nation’s largest and most prestigious police departments, Reichert served as a sergeant in Field operations, lieutenant in Special Operations and as a Precinct major. He held multiple specialty leadership positions including command of the SWAT Team, Drunk Driving Enforcement, Hostage Negotiation and Bomb Disposal Units.
In 1997 Dave Reichert was appointed Sheriff by his peers. He then went on to win the first Sheriff election in King County in over 30 years garnering over 72% of the public’s vote. Sheriff Reichert was re-elected to the top post in 2001.
To keep the Sheriff’s Office on the leading edge of law enforcement, Dave completed multiple training courses as student and as instructor. He worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Academy, The Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (VICAP), the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, and the Secret Service Training Center. After leading the Green River Task Force murder investigation, Reichert became a nationally recognized expert and instructor in topics ranging from major case management to crime scene processing.
Dave received numerous medals and awards throughout his law enforcement career. In addition to his two Medal of Valor awards, Dave is the recipient of the Washington State Attorney General’s Valor Award. His 2004 Sheriff of the Year Award was the nation’s highest honor bestowed by the National Sheriff’s Association.
Dave Reichert carries integrity and strong values into his personal life. He has dedicated hundreds of hours of volunteer time as a coach and youth counselor. Reichert was a member of the Board of Governors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington and served on the board of Youth Vision, a group that builds leadership skills among youth in ministry. Dave was also a Sunday school teacher and chairman of his church’s Board of Education.
Devoting himself to helping thousands of local homeless men, women and children, Dave served as a volunteer for the Union Gospel Mission. He was also president of the SHERIFF organization, a non-profit charitable group that aids law enforcement and their families in memory of Samuel Hicks, a King County Deputy slain in the line of duty. Dave Reichert has a strong record of supporting youth, faith and the public with both words and actions.
David George Riechert was born in August of 1950 in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. He is the oldest of seven children, grandson of a Lutheran minister and a town marshal. The Reichert family moved to Washington State in 1951, first to Renton and then to Kent where Dave attended Kent Meridian High School. While at Concordia Lutheran College, Dave met Julie, his wife of 36 years. After graduation the Reicherts settled in Washington. Family is extremely important to the Dave and Julie and they maintain close relationships with their three adult children Angela, Tabitha and Daniel and their six grandchildren, all of whom live in the area.
Dave Reichert is now translating his years of devotion to the public through law enforcement and volunteerism into service as a voice for Washington State's Eighth Congressional District. He is a proven, respected leader, a trusted member of the community, and a Congressman with the heart of a servant.
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