[OSMB-News] News Release -Wasco County Deputy Named Seasonal Officer of the Year

[Ashley MASSEY]

For Immediate Release	Date: Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Wasco County Deputy Named Seasonal Officer of the Year
	
The Oregon State Marine Board honored Wasco County Sheriff's Marine Deputy Roger Pearce with Officer of the Year award for service to the boaters of Oregon. The award was announced during a recent meeting in Bend. 
	
Pearce received the top award for seasonal programs. "This was a busy season for Pearce, who spent almost every day on the water trying to educate boaters and other water recreationists about the importance of wearing a properly fitting life jacket and cautioning them about hazards on the river," says Bill Rydblom, Law Enforcement Program Manager for the Oregon State Marine Board. "Deputy Pearce does so much in the way of enforcement and education.  He is truly a well-rounded Deputy in a well-rounded, program."  In addition to his other marine patrol duties, Deputy Pearce is an active instructor for whitewater, jet boat and drift boat operations and is a valuable member of the Marine Board's Law Enforcement Academy where he teaches hands-on boat operation to new marine deputies.

Whenever there is an in-water rescue, or recovery, it takes a toll emotionally on the law enforcement personnel involved.  This year there were five fatalities and countless other rescues on the Deschutes River, making this a busy and difficult season.

Each one of the Marine Patrol Deputies does their job without hesitation, putting their own lives in jeopardy.  "Deputy Pearce really cares for everyone on the river.  Public safety is a part of who he is, and because of his strong character, he rightly deserves recognition," Rydblom adds.
	
Other awards announced during the conference include: Most Improved Yearly Program to Marion County; Most Improved Seasonal Program to Crook County; Seasonal Program of the Year to Polk County; Education Award to Marion County; Officer of the Year to Deputy Steve Dangler, Multnomah County; BUII Enforcement  to Deputy Paul Vitus, Lane County, Deputy Jimmy Gyllenskog, and Ian Lance, Jackson County, and Deputy David Zahn, Marion County; Trooper of the Year to Senior Trooper Marshall Maher, OSP Oakridge and Trooper Martin Maher, OSP Cottage Grove; Tom Rice Instructor of the Year to Deputy Pete Wood, Douglas County; Special Instructor Award to Senior Trooper Marshall Maher, OSP Oakridge; Manager of the Year to Sergeant Russ Wright, Crook County and Sergeant Tim Steele, Marion County; Program Administration Award of Excellence to Clackamas, Josephine and Sherman Counties.
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Editor's Note: Photos will be available shortly on www.boatoregon.com/News.


Ashley A. Massey
Public Affairs Specialist
Oregon State Marine Board
503-378-2623
503-378-8587 ext. 82623
ashley.massey at state.or.us