La Conner welcomes Sgt. Ben Hagglund

By Luisa Loi

La Conner Community News

There’s a new sheriff in town.

Sgt. Ben Hagglund has been in charge of the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office La Conner Detachment for two weeks, replacing Sgt. Brad Holmes. During last week’s Town council meeting, Holmes announced he had already been transferred to Mount Vernon, where he was asked to take over the department’s crisis response division.

“I really appreciate the time I spent here,” he said, before saying goodbye.

In an interview, Hagglund said he is originally from Seattle and has been serving the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office since 2001. He has a bachelor’s degree in history from Western Washington University, and previously worked as a juvenile corrections officer and served in the investigations bureau at SCSO.

Hagglund said he is excited to serve La Conner, where he was impressed by people’s warmth and kindness.

“The nature of a small town is refreshing and valuable,” he said.

He looks forward to building connections with the community, finding solutions to problems affecting the town, and helping slow down traffic with a smile and a wave to drivers.

When asked to comment on the opioid crisis affecting Skagit County, he said the community’s safety and health remain a priority.

Overdoses are “an enormous trauma on the victim and everyone involved,” he said. “We want to respond with care and we want to prevent (addiction) from getting that far in any way that is possible.”

Luisa Loi is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.