[OSMB-News] News Release -Columbia County Marine Patrol Earns Top Awards

[Ashley MASSEY]

For Immediate Release	Date: Friday, October 24, 2008

Columbia County Marine Patrol Earns Top Awards 
	
	The Oregon State Marine Board honored 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. 
	The Columbia County Marine Patrol program was recognized with two awards, Most Improved Program and Program of the Year.  The Most Improved Award symbolizes a program that improved their performance the most over the course of a year from the previous year's ranking and the Program of the Year represents the best utilization of their contract hours, performance and cooperation with the Marine Board.
	"The marine program with overall glowing statistics is Columbia County," said Bill Rydblom, Law Enforcement Manager for the Marine Board.  "The deputies completed 123 percent of their contracted hours for the year and conducted 950 boat examinations, issued 403 citations, 176 warnings, conducted 102 hull inspections, 11 field sobriety tests, and arrested four people for boating under the influence of intoxicants.  In addition, Columbia County Marine Patrol had 1,646 boater contacts, conducted 16 equivalency exams, and recovered two boat/motors from theft.  The deputies displayed enormous dedication.  Our sincere thanks to Deputy Dave Fuller and Deputy Dave Peabody, for a job well done," Rydblom added.
	Other awards presented during the conference included: Most Improved Seasonal Program to Deschutes 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; Officer of the Year to Deputy Robert Wurpes, Clackamas 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!