There's a new candidate for Thurston County sheriff.
Kevin Burton-Crow, an Army veteran and current special victims detective with the Thurston County Sheriff's Office, has announced his intention to run for the position currently held by Derek Sanders.
Sanders was elected to his first term in 2022. He has not publicly announced a bid for reelection.
The race is set for the November 2026 ballot.
In a news release announcing his candidacy on Tuesday, Jan. 20, Burton-Crow said he brings more than 25 years of leadership and hands-on experience, and that his campaign focuses on professional standards, responsible budgeting and building trust and partnership with the community.
The office of the sheriff is non-partisan, but Burton-Crow disclosed Tuesday that he is running as a Democrat.
“I have dedicated my life to service, first to my country in the Army and now to my neighbors in Thurston County,” said Burton-Crow. “I’m running for sheriff because our community deserves a modern, transparent, and accountable law enforcement agency that works closely with the public. I'm running as a Democrat because that's where my values lie, but I believe the sheriff’s job should rise above partisan grandstanding. Being sheriff is a serious and important job. We should do more than just react to incidents. By working together with the community, we can build trust and keep everyone safe.”
Burton-Crow said his campaign is built on four main priorities:
• Professional Policing, Proven Standards: Modernizing the Sheriff’s Office by using nationally recognized best practices and meeting high, independent standards.
• Fiscal Responsibility: Using taxpayer dollars wisely and making sure the public has a say in budgeting decisions.
• Better Training, Safer Outcomes: Giving deputies advanced training in de-escalation, communication, and decision-making.
• Community Engagement and Transparency: Encouraging open conversations with the public through Citizen Academies and Community Advisory Groups to help the community shape law enforcement priorities.
A Thurston County resident since 2011, Burton-Crow transitioned from a distinguished 20-year military career to serve his local community.
He began as a volunteer reserve deputy while still in the Army and eventually became a full-time detective. He has earned recognition for leadership and integrity throughout his military, academic, and law enforcement careers, having received Army’s Meritorious Service Medal twice, once for his service in Afghanistan and again upon retirement, in recognition of outstanding achievements over his 20-year career.
His peers elected him president of his class in both the Reserve and Full-Time law enforcement academies, according to a news release.
In 2023, the American Legion named him Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
Burton-Crow has a Master of Public Administration from The Evergreen State College and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Troy University. He is the president of the Thurston County Deputy Sheriff’s Association and belongs to the VFW and American Legion.
For more information, visit Burton-CrowForSheriff.com.
When asked for comment about Burton-Crow’s candidacy, Sanders declined to comment on his own election plans, but congratulated Burton-Crow.
“The stars are heavier than they look,” Sanders added.
