[OSMB-News] News Release -Multnomah County River Patrol Honored with Top Awards

[Ashley MASSEY]

For Immediate Release	Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Multnomah County River Patrol Honored with 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 Multnomah County River Patrol Deputies received three awards; Rookie of the Year, Program Manager of the Year, and a Life Saving Award.  
	
Deputy Brent Laizure was honored as the Rookie of the Year.  Deputy Laizure quickly showed his mettle by conducting 245 boat examinations, issuing 128 citations and 170 warnings, conducting four hull inspections, and making five boating under the influence of intoxicants arrests.  Deputy Laizure also initiated 553 boater contacts to ensure their boats were properly equipped.  "We anticipate more great work from Deputy Laizure," said Bill Rydblom, Law Enforcement Manager for the Marine Board.  "He's become a real asset to the river patrol.

Lieutenant Michael Shults was also recognized for his outstanding leadership and management of the marine program by receiving the Program Manager of the Year Award.  "Lt. Shults turns his reports in on-time, has excellent communication with the Marine Board, is willing to provide instructors for various training operations and as been an asset to the Marine Board with his efforts in outreach and education through the media," Rydblom explained. 
Three Multnomah County deputies received Life Saver Awards.  Deputy Joe Graziano, Deputy Chris Wagner and Deputy Brent Laizure were patrolling the Willamette River in July when they were dispatched to the Morrison Bridge in response to a report of a male subject who had jumped from the seawall.  The deputies were able to locate the victim struggling in the water.  After quickly maneuvering the patrol boat, they threw the victim a float cushion that he pushed away.  He then went motionless and dropped below the surface of the water.  Deputies quickly brought him aboard, and he began vomiting and gasping for air.  Once he was able to communicate, the victim revealed his desire to "end it all."  The team agreed, "Not on our watch."  

"If it had not been for the swift response of Deputy Graziano, Brent Laizure and Chris Wagner, this gentleman would be a statistic," Rydblom replied.  "Not on Multnomah County's watch*indeed."

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; 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; 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!