[OSMB-News] News Release -Sherman County Marine Deputy and OSP Trooper Honored with Life Saving Award

[Ashley MASSEY]

For Immediate Release	Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Sherman County Marine Deputy and OSP Trooper Honored with Life Saving Award
		
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. 
	
Deputy Cliff Jett of the Sherman County Sheriff's Office and Trooper Travis Ring were recognized with Life Saving Awards from an incident that occurred in May.  A call came into the dispatch center requesting assistance for a wind surfer in distress on the Columbia River.  The male victim became exhausted and was stranded on a sandbar, unable to get back to shore.  The winds were over 50 mph with extremely hazardous wave conditions.  Deputy Jett and Trooper Ring launched their patrol boat without regard for their own personal safety.  When Deputy Jett and Trooper Ring arrived on scene, it was unfortunately, too late.  "Even though this incident did not end positively, Deputy Jett and Trooper Ring's heroic efforts will not go unnoticed," said Bill Rydblom, Law Enforcement Manager for the Marine Board.  "Their response in extremely adverse conditions was bold and swift."	

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; 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!