Deputy Scott Taylor is stepping up to the position of sergeant.

The sergeant spot on Orcas and Lopez has been vacant since Steve Vierthaler retired last February. Sheriff Rob Nou said that they looked for specific skill sets geared toward supervision and leadership.

“There were five candidates – all internal. He came out as the number one of the process,” Nou said. “He’s very experienced.”

Taylor, shown right, has more than 20 years of law enforcement, eleven with the San Juan County’s Sheriff’s Office. He works and currently lives on Lopez.

Taylor worked for seven years as a patrol deputy on Orcas and raised two of his four children on the island.

“I consider Orcas to be my home as well and have wonderful fond memories with folks there,” said Taylor. “I will serve them equally as the folks on Lopez.”

Taylor has also worked for the Department of Homeland Security as a senior patrol officer in Whatcom County.

For the last 30 years Taylor has served in the military, from four years in the Marine Corps to 24 years in the Army National Guard. He spent two tours of duty in Iraq.

Taylor said the skills he learned through his experiences in the military have translated to his current work in the islands from everything to physical fitness to security training to leadership.

Taylor will continue to live on Lopez, but he will be spending his time commuting between the two islands as supervisor for the other deputies on Orcas and Lopez. He is responsible for day to day operations on both islands and will be part of the Sheriff’s Office management team.

Taylor’s promotion comes on the heels of Deputy Bruce Distler, who was recently appointed as the county undersheriff. Distler will commute to Friday Harbor, but hopes to spend some office time on his home island of Orcas as well.

Nou is pleased with Distler’s and Taylor’s multi-island backgrounds, which will help keep lines of communication open.

“For the first time in anyone’s memory we now have supervisors residing on all three islands,” said Nou. “It’s going to be a great thing for the office and for all three communities – easy availability of leadership as well as having leaders in the organization be part of each community.”