Dan R. Montgomery served the residents of Thurston County as their elected Sheriff from 1979 through 1986. In addition, he was a Traffic Officer with the California Highway Patrol and Deputy Sheriff in Yuba County, California in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Sheriff Montgomery passed away in January 2005, and his family established the Dan R. Montgomery scholarship fund in 2003 to encourage young women and men to pursue higher education.

The specific focus of the fund is for students who wish to pursue the honorable profession of a law enforcement officer, and consideration is given to students going into work related to the law enforcement sector. This could include areas such as mental health services for law enforcement or outreach and crisis response that complements law enforcement efforts. Preference will be given to applicants who identify as a person of color and those choosing to attend a institution within Washington State. The scholarship has the potential to be renewed for up to one additional year. Reapplication each year is required.