[OSMB-News] News Release -Tillamook County Marine Patrol Heroes Honored

[Ashley Massey]

For Immediate Release	Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 

Tillamook County Marine Patrol Heroes Honored

The Oregon State Marine Board honored marine law enforcement officers
from around the state for their outstanding performance and
contributions during the 2009 boating season at their annual post-season
conference on October 13, in Bend. 
	
The Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office has been blessed with stellar
Marine Deputies who are skilled, brave, and there -just when you need
them.  Such was the case on September 12, 2008 when heavy rainfall
caused the South Prairie road over Fawcett Creek to collapse. Two
vehicles swept downstream with four adults and three children.  Deputies
Chuck Reeder and Billy Cloud were called from their families to the
dangerous scene.  The vehicles were located in a difficult position,
wedged between road debris with the rushing river pinning one of the
vehicles in place.  A misstep or change in the river volume could have
proven deadly.  The rain continued to fall as darkness set in, making
the rescue even more harrowing.  Multiple agencies responded,
collectively applying all their knowledge and skill to the rescue.  At
one point, even a local news team was recruited to help hold one of the
rescue ladders.  Thanks to combined efforts and quick thinking, all
seven victims were successfully rescued.  “Deputy Chuck Reeder and
Deputy Billy Cloud are no strangers to local floods, but even this one
had them nervous,” said Bill Rydblom, Law Enforcement Manager for the
Marine Board. “These are the kind of folks you hope come to your
rescue.  Seven lives were saved, due in large part to their actions.”


Other awards presented during the conference included: Most Improved
Yearly Program to Josephine County; Most Improved Seasonal Program to
Morrow County; Program of the Year, Multnomah County Sheriff’s River
Patrol; Program of the Year -Seasonal to Polk County; Education Award
to, Klamath County Sheriff’s Office; Education Award -Seasonal Program
to Washington County; Officer of the Year to Deputy Daren Krag, Klamath
County; Seasonal Officer of the Year to Deputy Jerry Roley, Washington
County Sheriff’s Office; Boating Under the Influence of Intoxicants
Enforcement to Deputy Jason Denton, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office;
Oregon State Police Trooper of the Year to Senior Trooper Marshall
Maher, OSP NW Region; Program Manager of the Year to Sergeant Cliff
Harold, Lane County Sheriff’s Office; Program Manager of the Year
-Seasonal to Deputy Adam Robb, Baker County Sheriff’s Office; Special
Instructor Award to Deputy Steve Fandry, Lane County Sheriff’s Office,
Sergeant Tom Turk, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Sergeant Dean
Perske, Southwest Region OSP and Senior Trooper Brad Bennett, Southwest
Region OSP; Rookie of the Year, Deputy Ken Berry, Douglas County
Sheriff’s Office; Program Administration Award of Excellence to
Clatsop County and Coos County Sheriff’s Offices; and Volunteer of the
Year to John Zeman of Multnomah County Sheriff’s River Patrol.

For pictures of the law enforcement award recipients, visit
www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/BoatLaws/news/2009LEPostSeason/2009LEPostSeason.shtml.
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Ashley A. Massey
Public Information Officer
Oregon State Marine Board
503-378-2623
503-378-8587 ext. 82623
ashley.massey at state.or.us
www.boatoregon.com
www.twitter.com/marineboard

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