It’s only two more weeks until former Marine Jason Gross completes his field training and starts patrolling the streets on his own as a deputy for the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office.

“He just knocked my socks off,” Sheriff Ron Krebs said of Gross in December, when it was announced that he would be joining the team on Orcas. “He is new to police work, but I know he’s going to be great at it.”

Gross graduated from high school in Tumwater, Wash. in 2002, after which he spent five active and three inactive years in the Marines. He said that serving in the military had a large influence on his choice to pursue a career in law enforcement.

“It’s kind of a similar field on a more local scale,” said Gross, who did three tours in Iraq as part of a transportation group which would haul infantry. “You feel like you make a difference.”

Following his departure from the military, Gross worked at the YMCA in Tumwater, and it was then he discovered that he wanted to do something more with his life. He looked for positions in law enforcement in Washington state, and that’s how he found the job on Orcas. He graduated from the police academy in May.

“I’ve always loved Washington weather and always wanted to live on an island,” said Gross. “I love it here. It’s just like home but a little smaller.”

Gross is single and currently has no pets, but he is hoping to get a dog soon. When he’s not working, he likes to go hiking, running and other outdoor activities.

Since he moved to the island in spring, Gross says the locals have been nothing but friendly to him.

“Everyone’s welcoming and everybody wants to meet the ‘new guy’,” said Gross. “First thing everyone says is ‘welcome to the islands’ or ‘welcome to Orcas.'”

He first thought he would find an entry level law enforcement job and eventually be able to move back to Tumwater, but he changed his mind when he came to the island. He says he’ll stay on Orcas for the rest of his life.

“It’s just too nice,” he said.

Gross says he has enjoyed working with the other deputies.

“They’re great,” he said. “They’re all welcoming. We’ve already had barbecues.”

Gross also has a positive outlook about Krebs and the future of law enforcement in the San Juans.

“I like him (Krebs) a lot. You just get the feel that he’s making this department a lot better than what it has been in the past,” said Gross. “It’s the perfect place to be because he wants to build the department into what it should be.”

According to Krebs, the feeling is mutual. He said he knew from the moment he sat down to interview Gross that he was a good fit for the community. Krebs said he was impressed with Gross’ history of working with his church’s youth group and the “glowing reviews” he received during the background check.

Gross said he appreciates the camaraderie he had with his fellow Marines, that he described as “a closeness that is unreachable anywhere else.” Like Gross, Krebs was also in the Marine Corps, which can help explain why Krebs has such a positive outlook on him. “Jason Gross has a really down-to-earth personality and a good head on his shoulders,” said Krebs. “I really think he is going to go on to be a great deputy for the community of Orcas Island and San Juan County.”