MCSO's Hosts Annual Awards Ceremony

 

On May 25^th, 2011 the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) held its Annual Awards Ceremony to honor those who have served above and beyond.  Many of our Enforcement and Corrections staff consistently put their lives at risk by assisting the communities we serve.    Awards were presented to community members for their outstanding contributions to the Sheriff's Office.  A record-breaking 223 awards were presented for performance during the year 2010. Commissioner Diane McKeel, FBI Special Agent Alan Peters, Gresham Police Chief Craig Junginger and other dignitaries attended to help honor the award recipients. Recognition categories included the Sheriff's Award, Award of Valor, Distinguished Service Award, Lifesaving Award, Citation, Unit Citation, Community Service Award, and Letter of Commendation.  Highlights of the Awards Ceremony are noted below.

Deputy Matthew Ingram received the Award of Valor for putting himself into a dangerous situation as first responder to assist a teen involved in an automobile accident.

Public Information Officer, Lieutenant May Lindstrand,  was presented with the Sheriff's Award for her implementation of the The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).  Her award certificate notes, "In 2003, The Prison Rape Elimination Act law was established to address the elimination and prevention of sexual assault and rape in correctional systems. Additionally, Lieutenant Lindstrand played a major role in planning the curriculum, which was designed to help each deputy develop the skills needed to successfully complete required objectives.

Additionally, Sheriff's awards were presented to the 95 member Search and Rescue Team (SAR), as well as the SAR Coordinators, who in 2010 set a new Oregon record for the largest and longest search in an investigation that remains open.

Sheriff Staton awarded civilian Cindy Banks the Sheriff's award for opening her residence to the MCSO.  At no charge to the Sheriff's Office, Ms. Banks provided a meeting space for agency members, the media, and most importantly, the involved family who were caught up in the investigation. Press briefings and press conferences were held at least twice daily, indoors and out during the wettest June on record.  In allowing her home to be used this way, the media was kept informed and close by, without interfering with a nearby public school or with the nearby investigation command post.  Ms. Banks also collaborated with MCSO and the family so that agency members and family members had access to her private living area on more than one occasion, therefore keeping them out of the media crowd prior to a press briefing or press conference.

A moment was also taken to thank those who gave so freely, without a second thought, to save and assist the communities they serve.  It was a very proud day for the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office to be so well represented by the hard work, dedication, and acts of kindness not only by staff but by its community members.  

- Julie Long 

MCSO Deputies Teach Local Children About Safety During Community Safety Fair 

On Saturday July 9th, Deputies Jessie Volker and Jennifer Ciobanasiu put on a "safety fair" at the Cumberland II Mobile Home Park on SE Foster Road in Portland.  Along with the assistance of Reserve Deputies John Griener and Kimberly Wiseman, the children at the mobile home park were treated to presentations about water safety, pedestrian safety, "stranger danger" and bicycle safety.  Each child was given a goodie bag along with a certificate at the completion of the event.  Parents of the participants were given child identification kits, including cards with their child's fingerprints.  These kits are a valuable tool for parents, guardians and law enforcement in the event that a child goes missing.

Now that school is out and summer weather has finally arrived, Dep. Volker and Dep. Ciobanasiu would like to encourage parents to talk to their children about these topics and reinforce the importance of safety during all recreation activities. 

-Sgt. Bryan White

Wingman of the Year; Master Sergeant Chris Payne  

The Wingman Award was the initiative of Brigadier General (Retired) James Cunningham.  This award was developed to recognize an enlisted member within the state who, through his or her actions and attitude, represents the epitome of a "Wingman".  This individual serves as a role model for other Airmen to follow and must possess the core values of integrity, excellence, and service before self.  The Wingman of the Year Award is presented to Master Sergeant Chris Payne.

Master Sergeant Payne consistently demonstrated the abilities and talents  which set him apart as a senior non-commissioned officer and traditional guardsman. While his commander and all full time unit members were deployed overseas, Master Sergeant Payne assumed the responsibilities of being the detachment commander while continuing his full time civilian employment. He provided home station support for deployed members and their families which allowed the stress of the deployment to be decreased on both members and their families. He provided mentoring and counseling to unit members experiencing financial difficulties and aided members seeking employment through assistance in resume writing and educating members how to prepare for job interviews.  

He developed the 123 Weather Flight's first unit decision continuity matrix which provided planned execution for decision making in absence of the unit's senior leadership. Bringing this concept to reality provided for decision-making transparency and aided in unit cohesion.  Master Sergeant Payne dedicated 20 hours a week to serve a trainer and mentor to his junior NCOs. He is the consummate leader and mentor, providing career guidance to subordinates which directly contributed to the retention of a unit member who was separating from the Air Guard. He challenges and encourages junior NCOs to take on greater responsibilities and evaluate risks in decision making. While taking vacation from his civilian job at Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, attended all out-of-state graduations for unit member's military. He has served his community through coaching a 7th grade boys traveling basketball team, and is actively serving with American Legion Post 122 and the Enlisted Association of the Guard and Reserve of Oregon (EANGOR). He is active in his local church as a volunteer youth leader and mentor, while facilitating a marriage enrichment course and recovery group for those battling addiction.  

Do not "hide" valuables under a seat, jacket or in the trunk

• An empty purse or bag left in open view or "hidden" under a blanket may still attract a thief.
  
  "Smash and grabs" occur quickly. Several may occur in one parking lot in a matter of minutes.

Trunk and door locks do not prevent break-ins.

A crowd of approximately 2,000 local residents and Estacada School District students joined emergency responders, military and the Patriot Guard Riders during a special community ceremony welcoming the arrival of the Patriot Flag.  Oregon State Police (OSP) were asked to transport the 75 lb. flag in the back of a Fish & Wildlife Division pickup during the procession through town to the Estacada Veterans' Memorial where it was hoisted into the air for 55 minutes in remembrance of the time between the two World Trade Towers falling.

Lieutenant Gregg Hastings, Trooper Mark Shoenborn and Trooper Caleb Borchers represented OSP at the event that was also attended by Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Clackamas Fire District 1, Sandy/Boring Fire Department, Estacada Fire Department, AMR ambulance services, and Oregon Military Department.

The Patriot Flag began its journey on September 10, 2010 and by the end of its journey on September 11, 2011 it will have flown in all 50 states.  The flag measures 30 feet by 57 feet.  Before coming to Estacada, the Patriot Flag flew on turn two at Indianapolis Raceway during last weekend's Indy 500.

Special guest Joe Torrillo, a retired New York firefighter who was buried in debris when both towers fell, traveled to Oregon and spoke to those in attendance.  Estacada School District students spent a couple weeks before the event to learn the national anthem which they sang loud and proud at the start of the ceremony.

The event was organized by a local citizen and was a huge success.  State Representative Patrick Sheehan attended along with Clackamas County commissioners and Estacada's mayor.

Local Resident Makes the Loll Memorial Sparkle 

Shaun Hedmann, a resident of Southwest Portland, approached the Sheriff's Office to ask if he could work on the Loll Memorial.  He said he lived nearby the Memorial and drove by it almost every day. 

Shaun said the Memorial needed a face lift and he wanted to help. He relayed his respect and appreciation for the men and women in law enforcement and for those that had made the ultimate sacrifice for their community.  He said he wanted nothing from the Sheriff's Office, just permission to work on the site. 

Shaun was given the green light and within days, he transformed the Loll Memorial into its current immaculate condition. He scraped moss from the memorial, weeded the area, laid weed barrier, poured new river rock and planted two trees to flank the Memorial. 

Shaun Hedmann's  incredible gesture is a reminder to us all, that there are people who respect our service to the community,  are thankful for the service provide, and feel indebted for the sacrifices that are made.   

Below is an article published by the Oregonian for those unfamiliar with the Loll Memorial. 

Multnomah County Sheriff's Deputy Ernest C. Loll is, by most accounts, the metro area's least-known yet most visibly honored police officer killed in the line of duty.

A  four-by-five-foot stone marker partly encircled with a hand carved stone wall marks the spot on Southwest 35th Avenue and Arnold Drive where he was gunned down by two pheasant poachers in 1935.

"There's not a huge amount of information about him, except that he was well-liked and friendly with the public," said Sgt. Barrett Taylor, spokesman for the sheriff's office and an avid historian. "There were police officers killed before him and several after him, but nothing of this size erected for any of them."

According to police records, on Sept. 29, the World War I veteran and father of two was sent into the then-unincorporated wooded area off of 35th on a complaint about out-of-season hunters. When Loll confronted two men coming out of a ravine, they shot and killed him on the spot.

The men, George Fiedler and August Weston were convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

The large stones for the monument and wall were quarried from Rocky Butte by Depression-era workers. The site was dedicated on the one-year anniversary of Loll's death.

Today, much of the area is made up of single-family homes and apartment buildings. The ravine has become overgrown and the rock wall topped with moss. But each May, a sheriff's office honor guard places a wreath at the site during a 10-minute ceremony. This years' service marked the 75th anniversary of Loll's death.

"He grew up in the area, and from what we've found out, he helped out at the schools, and lots of people knew him," said Lowell Swanson, a 30-year member of the Multnomah Historical Association who has researched the slain officer. "He grew up in the area and remains an important part of our local history."

MCSO PROMOTES SUMMER SAFETY AT
LOCAL GRADE SCHOOLS

During the month of May MCSO Patrol Sgt. Bryan White visited elementary-aged students at Corbett Grade School, East Orient Elementary School, Pleasant Valley Elementary School and Riverdale Grade School.  Sgt. White presented his "Summer Safety" class to 685 students during 20 separate presentations at the four schools.  This was the second year Sgt. White visited elementary schools within the MCSO patrol districts.  In 2010, the curriculum was presented to approximately 300 students during 10 separate presentations at East Orient Elementary School and Pleasant Valley Elementary School.

The class covered several safety topics, including:

•  Gun safety
• Bicycle helmet safety
• Boat safety
• River safety
• Swimming safety
• Discussion about 911 system
• how it works
• when to use it
• why it's not a toy

The goal of Sgt. White's "Summer Safety" class is to educate and encourage safe recreation practices amongst elementary-aged students while allowing them an opportunity to interact and have a positive contact with a MCSO Deputy Sheriff.

If you have an elementary-aged child that is part of a group (like Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, sports team) and would like Sgt. White to present this information to their group, please contact Sgt. White at 503-251-2503.    

Deputy Rian Hakala's exemplary performance is recognized by the Fairview Police Department

On May 25, 2011 during Fairview Police Department's Annual Awards Dinner, Deputy Rian Hakala was recognized and given Fairview's "Exemplary Performance" award for his actions on March 6, 2011.

On March 6^th, 2011 at around 09:34am, Portland Police Officer Parik Singh was shot in the abdomen while responding as a cover officer to a call where another PPB Officer had already been struck by shrapnel from a lone gunman.  The gunman was later arrested.  While Officer Singh received very serious injuries, a full recovery is expected.

PPB Officer Parik Singh is the brother of Fairview PD Officer Pooja Singh who also happened to be on duty at that time.   Officer Pooja Singh was handling a call in Fairview during the PPB shooting but knew that there was a shooting in her brother's precinct and that her brother may have been involved. 

Deputy Hakala, who was also on duty at the time, was able to extrapolate from the call that it was indeed Pooja Singh's brother who had been shot and drove directly to Pooja Singh's location knowing that she would be in need of support.

Deputy Hakala followed Officer Pooja Singh to her police department to drop off her car and then transported her straight to the hospital to be there for her brother.  He stayed with Pooja at the hospital and gave her support for a couple of hours until her family and friends arrived.

As Pooja was the only on-duty Fairview officer at the time, we arranged for deputies to come into Fairview from other assignments and cover their calls until they could bring someone in from home.

The entire Singh family and all of the Fairview officers  were present at the Fairview Awards Dinner and personally thanked Deputy Hakala in a very emotional display for stepping up to take care of one of their own when they couldn't be there to do it.  

To borrow a quote from Fairview PD,  

"His (Hakala's) cool headed response to a severely traumatic event exemplifies the highest degree of law enforcement professionalism and a keen appreciation for the sense of family within this profession.  Deputy Hakala is a credit to the law enforcement community and his exemplary performance this day went above and beyond." 

-Sergeant Brent Ritchie

As part of the time honored tradition that is Portland's Rose Festival, MCSO was on site to help bring in this year's fleet. Known as Fleet Week, nine ships from the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and Canadian Navy visited our city and helped celebrate Rose Festival.  Portland is just one of four U.S. ports that gets a visit from the fleet.

And for once, the weather cooperated!  If  you would like to view more photos, click HERE  

Photos are courtesy of Lynette Hanson

Torch Run for Special Olympics
 

 

On July 14, 2011,   members of MCSO participated, once again, in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.  This event is not only a fund raiser for the athletes to participate in the state games, but it also raises visual awareness for the Special Olympics program.  The run began at Fairview Police Department with close to  40  runners and 25 volunteers and support personnel.  The first leg of the run took 5.3 miles to MCSO Hansen building, where everyone took a short break to stretch and mingle.  A few runners were lost but new runners joined in,  including a Special Olympics athlete, who led us on our next leg towards the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office (CCSO).  The leg became a  little easier by the kids and other residents who waved and cheered as runners made the 8.6 miles to the finish.  A great number of motor officers supported and controlled traffic to ensure the run was safe and  seamless.   As everyone crossed the finish line at CCSO,  the culinary crew was busy grilling great food, provided by the Deputy Sheriff's Association and Fairview Police Department for the famished runners. This awareness event is something that the MCSO takes pride in and something everyone in the Sheriff's office should consider participating.

The MCSO Special Olympics Torch Run Team, made up of law enforcement and corrections members of the agency, posed for a group photo before beginning the run  

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office supports Special Olympics at all levels of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Program  including the Polar Plunge and Tip-A-Cop.   

PS- Polar Plunge Portland will be February 11.

Deputy Jay Pentheny