[OSMB-News] News Release -Marine Board Honors Clackamas County Marine Patrol Deputies

Ashley MASSEY Ashley.Massey at state.or.us
Fri Oct 24 08:47:02 PDT 2008


For Immediate Release	Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Marine Board Honors Clackamas County Marine Patrol Deputies
	
	
The Oregon State Marine Board recognized marine law enforcement officers from around the state for their outstanding performance and contributions during the 2008 boating season at their annual post-season conference on October 14, in Bend. 
	
Several Clackamas County Marine Deputies received recognition during the evening awards ceremony.
Deputy Robert Wurpes received the Marine Officer of the Year Award for his outstanding performance in the community by ranking highest in overall performance.  "Deputy Wurpes led the pack by conducting 1,010 boat contacts, issuing 69 citations, 248 warnings, and conducting 7 boat inspections," said Bill Rydblom, Law Enforcement Manager for the Marine Board.  "The waterways were treacherous earlier this season and many potential accidents didn't happen because of Deputy Wurpes efforts to ensure boaters were safe."
	 
Clackamas County Marine Patrol Deputies were also honored with two Life Saving Awards.

Deputy Robert Wurpes and Deputy Nathan Thompson were recognized for saving a victim from the Willamette River in February.  Deputy Wurpes was operating the patrol boat while Deputy Thompson threw the victim a float cushion. The victim was able to grasp the float cushion and pulled toward the patrol boat.  
Deputy Doug Olsen and Deputy Richard Jacobs were recognized for their efforts in rescuing several people from the Clackamas River in July.  A boat capsized, ejecting six people into the river.  Three of the people were able to make it to shore, but the other three, including a four year old child, were swept downstream.  The deputies traveled a quarter of a mile downstream, and located two of the victims -a female and the child, who   were traveling in the swift current, toward a strainer when the deputies arrived just in time. One victim remained unaccounted for.  After continuing downstream for another half-mile, the lone victim was seen clinging to a rock and clutching a float cushion.  She was entangled in the lines attached to the cushion, unable to move.  Deputy Olsen and Jacobs safely positioned the boat and cut the lines free, successfully taking her aboard the patrol boat to safety.   "Clackamas County Marine Patrol's swift response and getting these victims to safety earned them recognition for a job well done," said Rydblom. 
	
Other awards presented during the conference included: Most Improved Yearly Program to Columbia County; Most Improved Seasonal Program to Deschutes County; Program of the Year, Columbia County; Program of the Year *Seasonal to Polk County; Education Award to Deputy Anthony Hackman, Malheur County Sheriff's Office; Education Award *Seasonal Program to Washington County; Seasonal Officer of the Year to Deputy Jerry Roley, Washington County Sheriff's Office; Rookie of the Year to Deputy Brent Laizure, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office; BUII Enforcement to Deputy Jason Denton, Jackson County Sheriff's Office; Trooper of the Year to Senior Trooper Marshall Maher and Trooper Martin Maher, OSP NW Region; Program Manager of the Year to Lt. Michael Shults, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office; Special Instructor Award to Corporal Will Coleman, Coos County Sheriff's Office, Sergeant Brad Williams, Malheur County Sheriff's Office and Deputy Ernie Fields, Josephine County Sheriff's Office; Program Administration Award of Excellence to Jackson County and Crook County Sheriff's Offices; Special Award *Program Manager of the Year to Corporal Neil Mackey, Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and Volunteer of the Year to Paul Cody of Deschutes County Sheriff's Office.
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Ashley A. Massey
Public Affairs Specialist
Oregon State Marine Board
503-378-2623
503-378-8587 ext. 82623
ashley.massey at state.or.us

Boating enlivens your senses!





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