James Bigheart Covert

James (Jim) Bigheart Covert passed away Monday March 4, 2024.

Born November 16^th, 1956 to James D. and Mary Covert in San Diego County, California. James joined the United States Marine Corp at 18 years old. His service took him to Whidbey Island NAS where he completed his tour then pursued a long and prestigious career in law enforcement.

Starting in 1981 with the Island County Sheriff’s department as a deputy, in 1986 Jim took a lateral transfer to the Oak Harbor Police Dept until retiring in 2005. While with OHPD, Jim was committed to our community and saved lives. He worked as a K9 Officer with his beloved partner Conan who preceded Jim in death. Jim also worked in SWAT and spent the last, nearly decade with the department as OHPD’s Traffic Unit. One of Jim’s commitments to our community was to share his stories of tragedies’ witnessed and experienced with new young drivers or those who may have had traffic related issues in the hopes of making a difference in the decisions they would make before getting behind the wheel.

After working one year as a 911 dispatcher 2005-2006, Jim again put on the uniform and joined the Coupeville Marshall’s office as a Deputy Marshall. Battling cancer that was diagnosed in 2008, Jim continued to work as a deputy Marshall until August 2012. After more than 31 years of dedicating his life to serving our community, Jim retired.

Relocating to Arizona with his wife Denie, Granddaughter Alexia and Grandson Joshua in January of 2015. Jim enjoyed watching the Seattle Mariners during the Cactus League, he loved riding his Harley and taking cross country trips. He enjoyed flying and loved the journey to earn his single engine pilot’s license. Jim had more recently signed up for scuba lessons and was again interested in improving his golf game. Jim has always loved being a coach and referee. Whether it was coaching our daughter Marcella in AAU, refereeing high school basketball, football, baseball. He had a special place in his heart for coaching and officiating little league which he continued in Arizona.

Lovingly referred to as “Jimmie Two Dogs” by his family in blue, the love and bond that is shared with his brothers and sisters in blue and first responders, transcends time and space. Even in his last hours, Jim’s partner from their time at the Sherriff’s office, Al Morris, was at his side.

Although Jim was proud of his service to our country, dedicated to his service of our community, Jim’s proudest, happiest and most memorable moment was the birth of our daughter, Miranda Big Heart Covert.

Survived by wife-Denie Covert, daughters-Marcella Manibusan, Nicole Vannostrand, Alysha Younker, Miranda Bigheart Schnacker, Patricia Simmons, son-Joshua Campos. Although Alexia Manibusan-Tortice and Joshua Richards are Jim’s grandchildren, they spent their lives living with Nana and Grandpa and Grandpa’s love could not of been more of a father. Grandchildren-Jaden, Jackson, Emma, Aiden, Madison, Erica, Joselyn, Delana, Logan and Spencer. Brothers-John and Robert Covert, Charlie Flach.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents James D Covert, Mary Covert, Stepmother-Josephine Covert, Sisters-Cheryl Frederick and Leslie Flach as well as his partner Conan.