Herald staff
COUPEVILLE — Island County sheriff’s investigators found a missing jail corrections officer safe in a town on the Washington coast, sheriff’s officials said Wednesday.
Corrections Deputy Duwayne D. Evans, 46, had been reported missing by family members and co-workers after he didn’t show up for work at the Island County Jail.
His disappearance was uncharacteristic, and prompted an extensive search by law enforcement and many family friends, sheriff’s spokeswoman Jan Smith said Wednesday.
Late Wednesday morning, an Ocean Shores police lieutenant recognized Evans, who told the officer he was fine. Evans was en route back to his family on Whidbey Island after an unannounced overnight trip, Smith said.
"He needed to take some unanticipated time away. He is being reunited with his family," Smith said.
Evans did not report that he would be missing from work, where he was scheduled to work overtime to transport a prisoner, Smith said. His absence was uncharacteristic because he has a reputation as an excellent employee, Smith said.
No laws were broken, and the incident is now a personnel matter, she said.
"Sometimes we all max out," Smith said. "We remain supportive of him and his family and we value him as an employee."
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