King County Executive Shannon Braddock announced the winners of the 2024 Best-Run Government Awards on May 8, with eight King County employees, leaders, and teams recognized for their outstanding performance, leadership, and innovation. 

The awards’ highest honor, the 2024 Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award, was presented to Steve Larsen, Deputy Director of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD). 

The Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award is named for former Deputy Executive Fred Jarrett, the driving force behind Lean and continuous improvement for nine years at the County. It is presented to a senior county leader who embodies King County’s True North and values, and incorporates them into their processes, decision-making, and teams. 

In announcing this year’s winner, the Executive cited Steve’s transparency as a leader, his willingness to make problems visible and take ownership of them, and his collaborative approach to partnering with other agencies to make meaningful change. 

“Steve is someone with a demonstrated ability to get things done, to accomplish difficult tasks, by not getting bogged down in process, by focusing on the solution rather than on the problem,” Executive Braddock said. 

Steve, who joined DAJD in 2012, was the chief architect in reaching a settlement agreement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) over allegations that the adult jails were not meeting all required accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for people in custody who are blind, deaf or hard of hearing, have language access or medical device needs, or who require other supports under the Act. 

He coordinated with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on responses to each of DOJ’s concerns, worked with DAJD staff and partners at Jail Health on key details in the settlement agreement, and helped identify DAJD staff to serve as ADA coordinators and implement actions to make the facilities more accessible. 

“This work is so much more than an agreement; it means that we are providing the best possible care for people of all abilities when they are in our custody,” Executive Braddock said. 

Steve also managed King County’s agreement with the City of Seattle last November to eliminate misdemeanor booking restrictions at King County’s jails, which were implemented due to staffing challenges during the pandemic to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Thanks to robust recruitment efforts, including retention and hiring bonuses, DAJD has since been able to significantly increase staffing levels.  

Steve worked with partners at county agencies and the City of Seattle on a new agreement for the City of Seattle’s use of the King County Jail, which went into effect in November 2024. And by February of this year, DAJD was able to remove booking restrictions for all partner law enforcement agencies. 

“Steve Larsen represents the very best in leadership across King County government,” said DAJD Director Allen Nance. “He is mission-driven, data-informed, and inspires others to strive for excellence. His commitment to quality adult and juvenile detention services directly impacts those in our custody and the people under our supervision. Steve cares about the DAJD workforce and is present, visible, and engaged as a dedicated leader.” 

Throughout pandemic Steve prioritized the safety, health, and well-being of all DAJD staff and the people in their custody. 

He continued to be a staunch advocate for family visitation and worked to make video visitation available to ensure those in custody could continue to connect with loved ones when in-person visitation was paused for health reasons. 

He continually liaised with Jail Health and DAJD staff during the pandemic to implement safety protocols for people in custody. They developed tracking systems to know how many people in custody were COVID-positive and a clear plan for housing those individuals to contain the spread of the virus.  

As a leader Steve works to engage DAJD employees by personally showing up at all shifts in all facilities to meet and check in with staff, to promote inclusivity and belonging, and support their health, safety, and well-being.  

The genuineness, consistency, and level of professionalism and care that he brings to his work truly resonates and is appreciated by DAJD staff. 

“Congratulations Steve and thank you for being an exceptional partner and leader,” Executive Braddock said.  

The Best-Run Government Awards recognize exceptional contributions to performance, leadership, and innovation in eight categories: five innovation awards – people, cost, service, climate and environmental stewardship, and equity and racial and social justice – and three leadership awards – for people leaders, individual contributors, and the Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award for senior leaders. They recognize leaders and teams who embody King County’s commitment to continuously improve the equity, efficiency, and effectiveness of how it operates. See all the winners here.