Early Years
West was born in Oregon and raised in Spokane, Washington. He served in the U.S. Army after high school and graduated from Gonzaga University with a degree in Criminal Justice in 1978.
West was good friends with David D. Hahn and both were officers with the Spokane Sheriff's Department. They also worked together as troop leaders with the Boy Scouts of America. In 1981, Hahn committed suicide after charges of his involvement in the sexual abuse of boys became public.
Read more about this topic: James E. West (politician)
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