PACIFIC COUNTY, Wash. — January 2026 — Rich Byrd, a lifelong Pacific County resident and retired Lieutenant with the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office, has officially announced his candidacy for Pacific County Sheriff. Byrd also confirmed that Heath Layman will serve as his candidate for Undersheriff, forming a leadership team they say is focused on restoring trust, professionalism, and operational stability within the Sheriff’s Office.
Byrd, who was born and raised in South Bend, has lived in Pacific County since 1967. In announcing his campaign, Byrd emphasized his long-standing ties to the community and his commitment to public service.
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“This community is where I built my life and raised my family,” Byrd said. “I’m running for Sheriff because Pacific County deserves a Sheriff’s Office that operates with trust, respect, accountability, and professionalism.”
Byrd’s career in public service includes honorable service in the United States Army from 1986 to 1990. Following his military service, he began a 20-year career with the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office, starting as a Corrections Officer. He graduated as Honor Graduate and Top Student in his academy class before advancing through patrol operations and the Pacific County Narcotics Enforcement Team.
Throughout his law enforcement career, Byrd served in a variety of roles and was promoted to Patrol Sergeant and later Lieutenant. He retired from the Sheriff’s Office in 2010 after more than two decades of service.
After retiring from law enforcement, Byrd transitioned into the private sector, where he managed large-scale business operations and budgets for regional companies. He says that experience strengthened his ability to manage personnel, resources, and organizational performance with fiscal responsibility.
Byrd’s running mate, Heath Layman, brings more than 30 years of law enforcement command and operational leadership experience. A resident of Raymond, Layman began his service in Pacific County in the early 1990s as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff, working patrol alongside Byrd.
Layman later became Chief of Police in Cosmopolis, where he led the department during a period of significant financial challenges for the city. During that time, Layman negotiated the transition of police services to maintain public safety, a process that ultimately resulted in the elimination of his position.
“As Undersheriff, Heath will serve as the Sheriff’s Office Chief Operating Officer,” Byrd said. “He has the experience needed to rebuild training programs, improve operations, and lead with dignity and respect.”
Layman is a certifying instructor with the NRA Law Enforcement Division and the National Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors Association (NLEFIA). The campaign says he plans to help modernize training, improve technical proficiency, and strengthen overall readiness within the Sheriff’s Office. Layman is also a small business owner with more than 20 years of experience.
Byrd and Layman say their campaign will focus on rebuilding community trust, supporting deputies and staff, and strengthening accountability within the department.
“Our mission is clear,” Byrd said. “We will rebuild professionalism, support our deputies, improve training and accountability, and restore public confidence in the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office.”
For more information or media inquiries, the campaign can be contacted at
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