Kootenai Sheriff Shuffles Staff Retirements Spur Transfers, Promotions For Nine Deputies

With at least nine officers receiving promotions or transfers, Kootenai County Sheriff Pierce Clegg announced Thursday the biggest department staff change since he took office in 1989.

The shuffle began with the departure of four officers.

Lt. Joe Eisenbrandt, Sgt. Larry House and Deputy John Wheelock retired earlier this month. Capt. Karl Thompson, head of the Kootenai County Jail, resigned to pursue other career options, Clegg said.

The promotions and transfers are:

Capt. Travis Chaney will take over as head of the jail.

Lt. Ben Wolfinger, in charge of detectives, was promoted to captain in charge of both the detectives and patrol divisions.

Lt. Nile Shirley, currently in charge of patrol, will head to the detectives division.

Sgt. Jeff Thomas was promoted to the lieutenant in charge of patrol.

Sgt. Sam Grubbs was promoted to jail lieutenant.

Sgt. Dan Soumas was promoted to the marine division supervisor.

Deputies Al March, Kent Johnston and Paul Middlemore were promoted to sergeant.

“We’re anticipating a busy summer so we need to get these positions into place,” Clegg said. The positions will be officially filled by May 15.

The officers were selected, based on merit, by a board made up of representatives from the Idaho State Police, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, FBI and Spokane Sheriff’s Department, among others.