Sheriff Bill Benedict announces the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office sponsorship of 11-year-old Forks resident Ethan Gossard as Clallam County’s honorary sheriff at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s (WSJCJTC) Chief for a Day Celebration on Thursday, Aug. 21.Chief for a Day is about celebrating the lives of children who have been diagnosed with life-threatening or chronic illness.

This year 34 law enforcement agencies will sponsor a child to participate in the event. Each law enforcement agency will provide their honorary “Chief” or “Sheriff” with a hand-tailored uniform and gift basket which includes items for the child and their family.

Ethan, a sixth-grader at Forks Middle School, was diagnosed with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy as an infant. In 2013, Ethan underwent a femoral derotation osteotomy to improve his walking ability.On Aug. 21, Ethan and his family will be transported to the WSJCJTC, in police cars, by police escort.

Ethan will be sworn in as “Sheriff” by Benedict, have lunch with all attendees and academy recruits and then participate in outside presentations provided by law enforcement agencies and criminal justice entities including K-9 units, bicycle patrols, SWAT, rifle units and more.  This event is donation funded and open to the public. For those individuals, businesses or organizations wishing to donate funds in support of Ethan’s special day, donations can be made to the “West End CFAD Committee” at any of Clallam County’s First Federal branches.