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

[Ashley MASSEY]

For Immediate Release	Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Washington 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. 
	
Washington County Marine Deputies earned three awards, Seasonal Officer of the Year, Education Award of Excellence and a Life Saver Award.
	
Deputy Jerry Roley received the Seasonal Officer of the Year Award.  Deputy Roley compled 594 boat examinations, contacted 1,044 boaters to ensure they were carrying the proper equipment, and issued 449 warnings.  "Deputy Roley is an asset to the Washington County Marine program," said Bill Rydblom, Law Enforcement Manager for the Marine Board.  "He deserves recognition for his outstanding outreach to boaters in the community."
	
Washington County marine patrol was also recognized for their efforts to educate the public and children about boating and water safety.  Marine Patrol Deputies conducted 71 school education presentations, reaching 2,999 students. 

	
Washington County Deputy Jim Rue was also recognized for saving the life of a missing 16 year old autistic youth on Henry Hagg Lake, in August.  Deputy Rue knew that people diagnosed with autism are drawn to the water, so he activated the search and rescue team.  Deputy Rue launched his patrol boat and looked for the youth from the water while alerting citizens on shore from the loudspeaker.  A citizen directed the deputy toward Scroggins Creek.  Fortunately, the youth was located one and a half miles from his last seen location, standing in two feet of water in a swampy area.  The youth was given a life jacket and a whistle and his mother was given tips on developing a safety plan for her son when they are near the water.  "This was certainly a close-call, said Rydblom.  There's nothing worse than fearing for your child's safety.  Luckily in this case, tragedy was averted."	

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; Officer of the Year to Deputy Robert Wurpes, Clackamas County; 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 and 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!