University of Idaho murder case plays role in Moscow police chief’s career decision

Moscow Police Chief James Fry said the difficult University of Idaho quadruple homicide case partly played a role in his decision to resign.

Fry, 54, said Thursday that he had been considering resigning for a couple of years, and recently decided it was time for a new challenge. He announced this week that he will step down in May and seek election to the Latah County sheriff’s position.

He said the Moscow Police Department is “very stable” and he hopes to bring his experience to lead the Sheriff’s Office.

Fry said his resignation decision was partly motivated by a “rough year” spent in the aftermath of the Nov. 13, 2022, killing of four University of Idaho students. The investigation and the ensuing court case of suspect Bryan Kohberger has garnered national scrutiny.

Fry said going through something of that magnitude “will always make you think.” Kohberger, who had been a graduate student at Washington State University, was arrested in Pennsylvania about six weeks after the fatal stabbings, and during that time, Fry and his department were in the spotlight.

Fry said his resignation and election campaign will not change his involvement in the Kohberger case, which has yet to go to trial. Kohberger faces four first-degree murder charges.

Fry began his career as a reserve officer with the Moscow Police Department in 1993. He said he wants to “expand his horizons” by making the shift to Latah County.

“I’ve had a great opportunity to serve the community of Moscow and I look forward to serving Latah County,” he said.

Latah Sheriff Richie Skiles also announced this week that he will run for reelection. Skiles was first elected in 2016.

The candidate filing period for Latah County runs from March 4-15.