Jim Pugel

Former interim Seattle Police Chief Jim Pugel is the new chief deputy of the King County Sheriff’s Office in Washington. Pugel will assume his new position on Sept. 1, and will help manage the sheriff’s office and its roughly 1,000 employees. Pugel is a 32-year corrections veteran and a 1981 graduate of the University of Washington, where he earned a dual degree in political science and English. Over the years he also has served as a reserve officer, sergeant, lieutenant, precinct captain and assistant chief with the Seattle Police Department. Pugel was handpicked by King County Sheriff John Urquhart, and will replace Anne Kirkpatrick, who recently retired.