Grays Harbor County - A long time Washington State Patrol Communications Officer is set to retire after dedicating more than 37 years to the agency. 

 

Communications Officer 3 Lawrence “Larry” Evans began his career with the patrol on July 24, 1972.  He sat behind his console accompanied by a boom mike, one telephone and a mechanical teletype terminal.  No computer screens, no printers - just a pencil and pad of paper to take calls. 

 

Larry started his communications career in Everett as a Communications Officer 1.  On January 1, 1977 he promoted to Communications Officer 2 and transferred to Bellevue Communications. In March 1978, he transferred back to Everett. 

On May 1, 1982, Larry promoted to Communications Officer 3 and transferred to Bremerton, where he served 27 years in the center. 

 

Larry was born in Seattle, Washington in 1944 and graduated from Everett High School in 1962.  He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Washington State University in 1966. 

 

In June 1966 through 1968, Larry was in the Peace Corps assigned to South India working in poultry nutrition.  He proudly served in the United States Army as a Communications Specialist from September 1968 until June 1971.  

 

For 37 years, Larry has helped contribute to the success of the Communications Division and the mission of the Washington State Patrol.  “Larry exemplified professionalism and dedication to the Washington State Patrol.  The job of a dispatcher is fast paced, stressful, and requires a great deal of patience, dedication, and the ability to handle incidents quickly and efficiently.  Throughout Larry’s career, he’s been all that and much more.  We wish him well as he begins his much earned retirement”, said Captain Steve Sutton, District 8 commander.  Ironically, Larry also supervised Captain Sutton early in the captain’s career as a trooper cadet assigned to the Communications Division.  

 

On October 31, 2009, Larry will be retiring after serving 37 years, 3 months and 7 days with the Washington State Patrol. 

 

District 8 provides coverage to Kitsap, Mason, Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Pacific and Wahkiakum counties.