Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell recently gave the oath of office to the three newest members of the Federal Way Police Department.

Officer Ethan Kepler was hired June 11, 2018, as an entry level officer with no previous law enforcement experience. His previous employment included working as a certified nursing assistant at a care facility in Arizona. Kepler studied general business at Glendale Community College in Arizona. He graduated from the Washington State Criminal Justice Basic Police Academy second in his class on practical exercises. While growing up he was a rodeo cowboy, participating in team roping events and now enjoys hiking in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, Kaitie.

Officer Joe Meshkoff is a returning officer and was re-hired Sept. 17, 2018. He worked for the Federal Way Police Department for 10 years, from May 2007 to December 2016, and left work to support his wife who fell ill. Meshkoff’s wife is doing better now and he wanted to return to law enforcement, according to the department. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 13 years, the Washington Air National Guard Western Air Defense Sector for five years, and then transferred to the U.S. Air Force Reserve for two years. Meshkoff is currently attending college pursuing a degree in criminal justice administration. In his off time, he enjoys riding motorcycles and spending time with his wife, Elizabeth.

Officer Sophie Winger was hired Dec. 3, 2018, relocating from Warrensburg, Missouri, where she worked as a police officer for the Warrensburg Police Department for one-and-a-half years. Prior to beginning her law enforcement career, Winger attended Warrensburg Area Career Center, a technical school, where she studied construction technology. She was looking to make the big move to the Northwest and current Federal Way officer Eric Reyna, who was from the same area in Missouri, recommended she apply here. When Winger is away from work, she enjoys hiking and exploring new places in the Pacific Northwest with her boyfriend.