Klickitat County Sheriff's Office

06/12/2026

PRESS RELEASE:

MANHUNT LEADS TO CAPTURE

Following an extensive investigation and manhunt north of Goldendale, Washington, the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) apprehended Zackariah Bennett on June 10, 2026. Bennett, a resident of Goldendale, was arrested for first-degree Unlawful Possession of Fi****ms and second-degree R**e of a Child.

On June 9, 2026, the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on a residence on Old Mountain Road. The suspect fled the area but was not located. KCSO continued the investigation and attempted to locate the suspect late into the night.

On June 10, 2026 the search operation commenced on Satus Loop Road after receiving information that the suspect was in that area. The search involved the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Deputies, the Air Wing, and the Klickitat County UAS (Drone) team. Seeking additional support, KCSO engaged the U.S. Marshals Office, which deployed a 25-person team, including specialized K9 and UAS units, to assist in the manhunt.

As the comprehensive search of the region neared its conclusion, Sgt. Randy Wells identified the suspect walking along Highway 97 while on patrol. All active law enforcement units converged on the location, and Bennett was taken into custody without incident.

Before being booked into jail, Bennett was taken to Klickitat Valley Hospital for a medical evaluation. Bennett was seen in Superior Court in the afternoon of June 11, 2026. Bail has been set at $250,000.

The Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office expresses its gratitude to all of our hard working Deputies who never gave up the search and the following agencies for their vital assistance during this operation:
• Klickitat County Prosecutor’s Office, UAS Team, Air Wing, Posse, and 911 Dispatch
• U.S. Marshals
• Yakima County Sheriff’s Office and Yakima Police Department
• Benton County Sheriff’s Office
• Washington State Patrol
• Washington State Parks and the Department of Fish and Wildlife

06/05/2026

Do You Want Your Sheriff Controlled by Bob Ferguson or YOU?

06/03/2026

UPDATE: HE HAS BEEN FOUND

ALERT! ALERT!

Child found safe.

05/21/2026

Are you wildfire ready? Please follow this link for more info: https://www.wildfirereadyklickitat.org/

05/21/2026

WARNING!!

Phone Scams continue. Do NOT give out your personal information over the phone to anyone who calls, texts or emails you. Law Enforcement will NEVER call you and request money or your banking information. There are cases where people have scammed others by acting as local and federal law enforcement. Don't fall for it.

05/19/2026

Message from Sheriff Bob Songer

05/18/2026

Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office
Press Release from Sheriff Bob Songer

May 18, 2026

Narcotics Arrest in Goldendale, Washington

On May 14, 2026 a search warrant was executed at a single-family residence within the city limits of Goldendale, Washington. This took place after an extensive investigative process and
resulting in the seizure of approximately 300 grams (approximately ¾ pound) of suspected fentanyl and over $1,000 in cash. This was a collaborative investigation between Goldendale Police Department and Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office, with both agencies contributing time and resources.

Bryan Milberger and Carlye Niva were both taken into custody. Charges include: Delivery of a Controlled Substance Fentanyl, and Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
Fentanyl. We think it’s important to highlight this successful narcotics seizure and arrests while emphasizing that this is an active investigation, therefore, additional details will not be released
at this time.

Thank you to all partnering agencies including Goldendale Police Department, Klickitat County 911 Dispatch, and the Mid-Columbia Interagency Narcotics Task Force (Oregon), who provided
resources during the ex*****on of the search warrant.

05/16/2026

On this cold and windy morning in Goldendale WA Sergeant Adam Dyment was recognized, with a Letter of Commendation from Sheriff Songer, for saving lives in 2 dangerous situations involving armed subjects.

05/14/2026

PRESS RELEASE from SHERIFF SONGER:

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day.
And the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week.

I want to invite Law Enforcement Officers and the public to attend the Peace Officer Memorial Day event on Friday May 15, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. At the Klickitat County Sheriff's Office at the south entrance to the courthouse.

We will honor the one WSP Trooper and the Three Klickitat County Deputies killed in the line of duty.

(1) End of Watch: December 23, 1942. WSP Trooper John H. Gulden made a traffic stop on Mary Hill Hwy in Klickitat County and was shot and killed by two juveniles who were later arrested for the killing. At that time Trooper Gulden was the first WSP Trooper killed by gun fire,

(2) End of Watch: Friday, November 19, 1976-Klickitat County Deputy Sheriff Danny Kerr Vaughn was with a pilot searching for a small submarine in the Columbia River when the pilot had to make a forced landing in the river. Deputy Vaughn tried to swim to shore and drowned.

(3) End of Watch: Thursday, April 17, 1986. Klickitat County Deputy Sheriff Michael J. McNabb was on patrol on Highway 14, east of Lyle, Washington when a drunk driver hit him head-on. Deputy McNabb was killed in the head-on collision.

(4) End of Watch: Wednesday, July 18, 2007. Klickitat County Deputy Sergeant Peter D. Garland was on duty traveling on Highway 97 at approximately M.P. 42 when a drunk teenage driver passing over a double yellow line hit Sergeant Garland's vehicle head-on, killing Sergeant Garland.

We will also honor all the Law Enforcement Officers across the United States who have died in the line of duty while protecting their communities' citizens.

We hope you will also join us in supporting the current law enforcement officers who risk their lives every day protecting our communities.