Sound Transit Sergeant Devon Edwards receives prestigious award at IAWP
Crossposted from the KCSO Employee News
It is with great pride and admiration that we recognize Sgt. Devon Edwards for her exceptional achievement in being awarded the prestigious International Association of Women Police (IAWP) scholarship — an honor bestowed upon one outstanding female police officer worldwide. This competitive grant celebrates leadership, vision, and a commitment to advancing global understanding of law enforcement roles across diverse cultures.
Devon Edwards made history as the first female officer from the United States to receive this distinguished award. Her selection reflects not only her dedication to public service but also her passion for fostering international awareness and collaboration with the policing community. The scholarship supports officers who strive to deepen cross-cultural insights into law enforcement, elevate the visibility of women in policing, and champion progressive change.
Last week Devon traveled to Glasgow, Scotland where she represented the King County Sheriff’s Office at the IAWP conference. Her presence and participation were a powerful embodiment of the Sheriff’s ongoing commitment to transforming the police workforce — encouraging, empowering, and uplifting women in law enforcement. Devon’s accomplishment is more than a personal milestone, it is a beacon for future generations of female officers and a testament to the values we uphold at King County. We commend Devon for her trailblazing spirit, her unwavering dedication to service, and her role in helping shape a more inclusive and globally connected law enforcement.
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Executive Braddock’s budget adds 400,000 hours of bus service
Crossposted from Metro Matters
On Sept. 23, King County Executive Shannon Braddock proposed a 2026-27 budget that adds more than 400,000 hours of Metro bus service and totals $4 billion across Metro’s operating and capital programs, including all of Metro’s modes of transit as well as safety, cleaning, and zero emissions, among other priorities.
“We continue to invest in and grow transit,” Executive Braddock said. “We’re increasing bus and water taxi service, expanding Metro Flex, and improving Access Paratransit.” Read more.
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How my life was changed by Long COVID: Experiences of people in King County
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
We may want to think of COVID-19 as something in the past, but it’s still here and many people are living with the long-term outcomes that can range from unpleasant to utterly debilitating. Long COVID is a condition that can affect any of the organ systems after a COVID infection, and it can happen to people at any age, even if they were previously healthy. Studies have identified more than 200 symptoms that people with Long COVID have experienced, and some can make daily living a challenge.
In this video, local residents shared examples of how their lives have been altered by Long COVID to further understanding of the condition and in the hope that it will encourage others to take steps to prevent getting COVID-19. Read more.
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“This program is saving lives”: How community partnerships expand naloxone access
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
Overdose is the leading cause of preventable injury death in King County, but an easy-to-use nasal spray called naloxone is saving lives. When someone overdoses on opioids like fentanyl or prescription painkillers, their breathing slows or stops. Naloxone, sometimes also called Narcan, quickly reverses the effects of opioids, often restoring normal breathing in 2-3 minutes.
Through strong community partnerships and innovative approaches, Public Health’s distribution of this life-saving tool to community-based organizations in 2025 is on pace to double that distributed in 2024. This work is funded in part through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Overdose Data to Action Grant. Read more.
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Making Life Easier’s Addiction Care Navigator tool
Navigating substance use concerns—whether for yourself or someone you care about—can feel overwhelming. That’s why King County employees and anyone living in their household have access to a suite of confidential, stigma-free resources through Making Life Easier (MLE).
Addiction Care Navigator is MLE’s online clinical assessment that offers a stigma-free, anonymous and confidential way to assess substance use risk and to immediately connect you with care and support. Read more.
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How to get the COVID vaccine in King County
Crosposted from Public Health Insider
Getting a COVID shot this fall might look a little different from state to state, but here in Washington, it’s pretty simple: all people ages 6 months and up can get the updated (2025-26) COVID vaccine. Here’s what you need to know.
Who should get a COVID shot this fall?
The short answer: it’s a good idea for everyone! No matter your age or health, vaccination can protect you from severe illness and Long COVID. The slightly longer answer: we strongly recommend that certain people at higher risk get vaccinated, including:
- Children under 2 years
- Pregnant people
- Children and adults with conditions that put them at risk for severe illness
- All adults age 65 and older
- People who haven’t yet had a COVID vaccine
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Five questions for a King County ecotoxicologist
The Science Section brings together experts from different fields to investigate and address environmental concerns. But what is a limnologist, a gager, or a hydrogeologist? Why do we need fish ecologists and oceanographers? What do they do and why does it matter?
In Five Questions you’ll meet the people behind the science and learn about their work and what it means for the rest of us. Read more.
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Join us in the Annual Giving Drive!
Dear fellow King County employee,
As we enter the season of giving, I’m proud to announce the launch of our Annual Giving Drive, running from Sept. 29 to Nov. 14, 2025. This year’s theme, “Start Something Good,” is a celebration of King County’s strong legacy and invites us to cultivate hope and take positive action.
Every act of giving is a fresh beginning. Through the Annual Giving Drive, we can choose to grow the good by supporting causes that matter most to each of us.
The Annual Giving Drive is closely aligned with our True North: making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. It also expands that vision by offering us a powerful opportunity to support people, communities, animals, and ecosystems— locally, nationally, and globally. Whether through donations, volunteering, or sharing our stories, we turn our shared vision into meaningful action.
There are several ways to get involved. Read more.
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Public Health’s Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention and King County Sheriffs Office host gun safety events for National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Sept. 29 and Oct. 4
In recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention is hosting two gun safety events: a gun lockbox giveaway event at Kirkland City Hall on Sept. 29, and a gun buyback in Skyway with the King County Sheriffs Office on Oct. 4. Both events are free and open to all. Read more.
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Supervisor Spotlight: Highlighting those who keep us moving
Crossposted from Metro Matters
Expert Metro staff work tirelessly to deliver service across 150 routes and over 300,000 boardings a day. You don’t see them, but they’re essential to making sure your trip goes smoothly every day.
They help train the operators you see everyday, keep track of buses throughout the region and support drivers and the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
They are the supervisors, instructors, and coordinators who put their backgrounds from other fields into good use.
We want to introduce you to the staff that help keep the wheels on the bus going “round and round” everyday. Read more.
Employee News 