For Immediate Release

Date: Oct. 15, 2003

Board Honors Benton County Marine Patrol Program

The Oregon State Marine Board has named Benton County Sheriffs Marine Patrol Program as the top seasonal program in the state. The board honored the program’s accomplishments during awards ceremonies in Bend on Oct. 1.

"This award recognizes the best all-around seasonal marine patrol program in the state," said Bill Rydblom, Law Enforcement Program Manager for the Marine Board. "Benton County turned in high numbers of program hours, boating citations, youth boating and water safety training hours, arrests for Boating Under the Influence of Intoxicants and other duties. They serve as an example to other seasonal marine law enforcement programs across the state.”

Other awards given by the board included: 2003 Marine Program of the Year – Full Time Program, Jackson County; 2003 Marine Program of the Year – Seasonal Program, Benton County; 2003 Marine Officer of the year, full-time program, Deputy Tom Turk, Jackson County; Marine Theft Award, Deputy Doug Olson, Clackamas County; Program Manager of the Year, Sgt. Tim Steele, Marion County; Most Improved Program, Coos County; Rookie of the Year, Dep. James Gyllenskog, Jackson County; 2003 BUII Enforcement Award, Dep. James Gyllenskog, Jackson County; School Education Award, Marion County.

In addition, Life Save Awards were given to Deputy Scott McDowell, Multnomah County; Dep. Paul Fournier, Tillamook County; Ruben Descloux and Josh Walker, Netarts-Oceanside Volunteer Fire Dept.; Deputies Den Bender and Tim Allinson, Polk County; and Deputies Sam Forney and Jerry Saltos, Crook County.

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