[OSMB-News] News Release -Marion County Marine Patrol Receives Top Honors for Service

[Ashley MASSEY]

For Immediate Release	Date: Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Marion County Marine Patrol Receives Top Honors for Service

The Marion County Sheriff's Marine Program received several awards from the Oregon State Marine Board for service to Oregon's boaters.
	
Sergeant Tim Steele was honored with the Manager of the Year award.  "He has brought solid performance, competent administration and management and cooperation to the forefront, turning the Marion County marine patrol program into a highly efficient waterway enforcement unit," said Bill Rydblom, Law Enforcement Program Manager for the Marine Board.  There are nearly 50 individuals that supervise or manage a marine program in Oregon.
	
Marion County also received recognition for the Most Improved Yearly Program by developing more effective on-water patrols, responsiveness to local concerns and cooperation with the Marine Board.
	
"Marion County also excels when it comes to education," said Rydblom.  Marion County was also honored with the Education Award by delivering 94 boating and water safety classes with 5,642 school age students and offering equivalency exams to the boating public.
To top off Marion County's honors, Deputy Dave Zahn was recognized with the BUII Award for his efforts in recognizing and citing impaired boaters and getting them off the water.  "Because of his efforts, the waters are safer for everyone to enjoy," Rydblom adds.

Other awards announced during the conference include: Most Improved Seasonal Program to Crook County; Seasonal Program of the Year to Polk County; Officer of the 
Year to Deputy Steve Dangler, Multnomah County; Officer of the Year (Seasonal) to Deputy Roger Pearce, Wasco County; BUII Enforcement to Deputy Paul Vitus, Lane County, Deputy Jimmy Gyllenskog, and Ian Lance, Jackson 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; Program Administration Award of Excellence to Clackamas, Josephine and Sherman Counties.
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Editor's Note: Photos will be available shortly at 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