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| Oregon Peace Officers Association Honors OSP Officers During Awards Banquet | ||
| 11/30/2007 | ||
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Lieutenant Gregg Hastings Public Information Officer Office: (503) 731-3020 ext. 247 Eight members of the Oregon State Police (OSP) were honored along thirty-five others during the 38th Annual Oregon Peace Officers Association (OPOA) Awards Banquet this month. Sergeant Larry Graves and Trooper Jesse Webb - OSP La Grande Area Command Recognized along with members of the interagency Union County Tactical Team with the presentation of the “Unit Citation Award ”. On August 17, 2006 after midnight Union County 911 center received a call from a subject stating he needed medical attention. Dispatchers recognized the caller’s name as someone they dealt with before who lives in a rural area surrounded by forest and brushy terrain. In previous contacts he would call 911, tell dispatchers he needed medical help but if he saw a police officer he would shoot them. Previous incidents had led to brief stand-offs with the subject surrendering for mental health care. The Union County Tactical Team was called to the scene. Upon arrival, officers gained entry and encountered the subject who raised a gun at them. A Union County Sheriff’s Office Corporal shot the subject. Team members immediately started CPR and were relieved by EMS who staged nearby. The subject died at the scene. In presenting this unit award, the OPOA stated “each of these officers was well aware of the danger facing them. They did not know if the subject was armed, if he was waiting to ambush them in the wooded area or if he had harmed his mother. They formulated a plan which was ultimately successful with none of the team members of EMS personnel harmed. They went from apprehension mode to that of caretakers after the subject was wounded. These actions are held in the highest regard by your fellow law enforcement officers.” Trooper John Lombardi - OSP Hermiston work site Recognized with the “Lifesaving Award ”. On February 16, 2007 at approximately 4:00 p.m. Trooper Lombardi was arriving at his residence at the end of his shift. He noticed an elderly neighbor slumped over the steering wheel of his vehicle, quickly assessed the situation and determined his neighbor was in cardiac arrest. Trooper Lombardi pulled him from his vehicle, started CPR, and directed the man’s wife to call 911. The man’s wife was unable to directed medical attention to the location so Trooper Lombardi used his portable radio to direct them, while continuing CPR. The man was later transported to a local hospital where he was stabilized and a pacemaker implanted into his heart. A few days later he was released and allowed to return home. In presenting this lifesaving award, the OPOA stated “Trooper Lombardi’s heroic kindness and humbleness are a shining example to all of us in law enforcement. His quick actions and efforts performed undoubtedly save the life of his neighbor.” Sergeant Chris Allori and Senior Trooper Roger Edwards - OSP Portland Fish & Wildlife Division Recognized with the “Lifesaving Award ”. On May 17, 2007, Sergeant Allori and Senior Trooper Edwards were on routine boat patrol in the Willamette River between Oregon City and Portland when they spotted a man grabbing for a buoy while desperately fighting the powerful current in the chilly waters. When they got close enough to pull the man on board, they could see he was scared and confused. The struggling man initially refused help, but weak and exhausted he eventually relented and they pulled him into the boat. In presenting this lifesaving award, the OPOA stated “if not for Sergeant Allori and Trooper Edwards careful observation during their river patrol this man would have surely not lasted much longer and sank into the river with no one missing him for some time.” Trooper Russell Decker, Senior Trooper Huff Myer, and Senior Trooper Jeff Lewis - OSP Albany Area Command office Honored related to a high-risk situation on August 25, 2006 during which Trooper Decker was shot. The troopers stopped a vehicle on Interstate 5 in Albany that was of interest in several armed robberies earlier that day in the Roseburg area. When Senior Trooper Myer and Trooper Decker approached the vehicle and made contact with the driver, he jumped out and starting shooting. Trooper Decker was hit three times. Both troopers returned fire, and, in a ferocious close-range gun battle, the man was struck several times and ultimately sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Senior Trooper Lewis, who was observing from a short distance away, radio dispatch of the shooting and immediately began medical care for the man, who later died from his self-inflicted wound. Trooper Decker was honored with the “Purple Heart” and “Medal of Honor”. In presenting these awards, the OPOA stated “Trooper Decker had the presence of mind to remove the suspect’s weapon, and he continued to cover the suspect until Senior Trooper Lewis was able to handcuff him. It was only then that Decker called attention to his own injuries.” Senior Trooper Myer was also honored with the “Medal of Honor”. In presenting this award, the OPOA stated his “quick actions in responding to the deadly assault very likely prevented further injury to the officers and the public. In addition he immediately provided first aid and emotional support to the injured Trooper Decker. He displayed courage and professionalism demonstrating the highest ideals of the law enforcement profession.” Senior Trooper Lewis was honored with the “Distinguished Service” award. In presenting this award, the OPOA stated “witnesses commented it was remarkable to see Lewis immediately render aide to someone who had just shot at two of his troopers. His actions are a shining example of the law enforcement profession.” ### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
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