| OSMB News Releases |
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| For Immediate Release |
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Clatsop County and Marine Deputies Honored with Multiple Awards
The Oregon State Marine Board honored law enforcement officers from across the state for their heroic actions and performance at their annual post season conference on October 17, in Bend.
Captain Walt Markee (left) new recruit Trooper Jim O’Connor (center)
and Marine Board’s Law Enforcement Coordinator, Dale Flowers
(right).
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It was May, 2007 when a 40-year-old
father, his 19-year-old son and a 23-year-old friend set out to catch some
sturgeon on their 16’ outboard boat. As they came within 100 yards west of
the Astoria-Megler Bridge, they decided to drop anchor into the swiftly flowing
current.
As the anchor was lowered, a knot in the line caught on a cleat. The two younger men hurried to the helm to free the line. The sudden shift in weight rocked the boat forward, and the bow submerged into the river. The boat capsized within seconds. The three men found themselves fighting against the current in 58-degree water, without any lifejackets.
Instinctively, they managed to claw their way onto the overturned outboard,
trying to keep their bodies out of the frigid water. Shortly after, the boat
took on more water and began to sink.
A local resident observed the capsized vessel and called 911. Deputy James O’Conner, and the U.S. Coast Guard in Astoria were dispatched. Knowing the river and the severity of the situation, Deputy O’Conner’s requested additional assistance from Deputy McCoy and Deputy Guest.
The deputies approached buoy 27 in their patrol boat, when they spotted one
of the men. Deputy O’Conner maneuvered the boat closer when the exhausted
victim disappeared beneath the surface. Several seconds passed.
Suddenly, the victim resurfaced, thrashing his arms. Deputies Guest and
McCoy reached for his outstretched arms, but the man’s eyes rolled back into his
head. His body went limp, and he began to sink. Reacting quickly,
McCoy and Guest were able to grab the victim and lift him into the boat.
The man was unconscious and hypothermic.
The deputies provided first aid and warmed the victim en route to the
Warrenton boat ramp, where EMS personnel were waiting. They received word
from U.S. Coast Guard resources that the other young man was located and
rescued. The deputies returned to look for the last missing person. After
hours of searching, the Deputies were unable to locate him but they recovered
the sunken vessel.
Had it not been for the quick response, alert recovery and deft rendering of
first aid to the victim, he would have been lost to the Columbia or the deadly
effects of hypothermia.
For their actions, Deputy O’Conner, Deputy McCoy and Deputy Guest were awarded the Oregon State Marine Board’s Law Enforcement Life Saving Award.
Clatsop County Marine Patrol also received Program Award of Excellence which
honors marine programs that submit their reports and information to the Marine
Board in a timely and accurate manner, and keep the doors of communication
open. This award is dedicated to office staff, deputies, supervisors,
command staff and the Sheriff.
Other awards presented during the conference included: Most Improved Yearly Program to OSP -NW Region; Most Improved Seasonal Program to Yamhill County; Program of the Year, OSP –NW Region; Program of the Year –Seasonal to Benton County; Education Award to Klamath County; Education Award –Seasonal Program, to Washington County; Officer of the Year to Deputy Steve Dangler, Multnomah County; Seasonal Officer of the Year to Deputy Jerry Roley, Washington County; Rookie of the Year, Deputy Nathan Thompson, Clackamas County; BUII Enforcement to Deputy Paul Vitus; Trooper of the Year to Senior Trooper Marshall Maher, OSP Oakridge and Trooper Martin Maher, OSP Cottage Grove; Tom Rice Instructor of the Year to Bernie Altishin, OSMB Cadre; Special Instructor Award to Deputy Jim Drew, Clark County, Washington; Manager of the Year to Lt. Pat Rowland, Jackson County; Program Administration Award of Excellence to Clatsop and Lane Counties; Volunteer of the Year to Bernie
Altishin, OSMB Instructor Cadre and Paul Cody, Deschutes County.
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