Sheriff's Office News
Upcoming Summit and a Tribute to My Staff

Dear Washington County Residents,

My personal experience studying, living and working in other countries, combined with serving our communities at home, forged my firm belief that strong community partnerships are necessary for our success at conserving the peace.  

As we draw on the wisdom of our community members, we learn to fully understand how best to serve them, and when we don't hit the mark, how best to restore trust. To be the safest urban county in Oregon, we must continually strive to Connect, Listen and Respond to the diverse communities we serve.

Community and Public Safety Summit

Since April, I have had the pleasure to be part of a steering committee that is planning a Community and Public Safety Bridge Building Summit. The event, to be held later this month, is founded on a shared acknowledgement that we live in a time of heightened tensions at home and across our country. Our aim is to begin important, authentic, meaningful conversations around trust that we can continue into the future to increase community safety and understanding.

Steering committee partners include the Vision Action Network, the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Latino Network, Washington and Multnomah County District Attorneys' Offices, the Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement, the Muslim Educational Trust, the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization, the Portland Police Bureau, and the Tigard Police Department.

The event is invitation-only and the group is large - we have invited leaders of more than 90 community-based organizations and 25 public safety agencies from the tri-county area. This is a tremendous opportunity for all of us, and I look forward to sharing what I learn with you.

My Tribute to Our Honorable Men and Women in Law Enforcement

I also want to honor the daily actions of our brave and dependable staff rarely reviewed under "instant replay" because, frankly, they are not news-worthy.  

Today, I am posting a videoIt is about the spirit of
the Washington County Sheriff's Office. It will be on Facebook and Twitter, too.  Please share it and join in my tribute to our honorable men and women in law enforcement.

Thank you for the honor of serving as your Sheriff. I appreciate your ongoing e-mails, letters, and kind gestures of support to our troops and office staff.

Sincerely,

Sheriff Pat Garrett



Police Meeting at the Right Place and Time

On the morning of August 25, Sheriff's deputies were meeting with Oregon State Police troopers at the Elderberry Inn in the small community of Elsie in the coast range. They happened to witness the tail-end of a fully loaded log truck roll-over on the highway. The crash left the log truck driver pinned under the cab of his truck. Due to the remote location, fire and medical were significantly delayed.



The log truck had struck the rear of a Ford F550 truck. Following the collision, the log truck traveled off the roadway, struck an embankment, overturned, and lost the load of logs across the highway. Fortunately, enough people were there to render initial care and to close the road, preventing further crashes or injuries. The driver was taken by Life Flight to a local hospital with serious injuries, and the Ford truck driver was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

We thank all the responding troops for the great teamwork -- Oregon State Police, Banks Fire District, Hamlet Fire and Rescue, Elsie Fire Department, and Life Flight. Talk about being at the right place at the right time.

Community Helps: Missing Adults Returned Home Safely

On August 1, an 82-year-old Aloha man was reported missing by his wife. He has memory issues that may cause him confusion and make it difficult to communicate with others. The Sheriff's Office posted a press release on Twitter. A member of the public saw the Tweet and alerted authorities that he was seen in Hillsboro. He was found in good health and returned safely home. 

On August 12, a West Slope man who suffers from memory disorders was reported missing by his caregiver. Two people watching the local news heard the story and alerted authorities within minutes that they had seen the man in Beaverton. This gentleman was also in good health and returned quickly home.

Remember, if you see something, say something! You just might save a person's life.

If you have a loved one who wanders from home due to memory issues or a disability, learn more about how the Sheriff's Project Lifesaver Program can help law enforcement locate them quickly.
Intense Investigations Lead to Long Prison Sentences

These horrific acts of violence shake families and our community, and we grieve for the victims. Identifying suspects means the more intensive work begins as deputies, detectives, and prosecutors determine what happened and prepare every shred of evidence to prove the case in court, which can take years. 

Three local cases went to trial recently.  

Convicted Murderer of Jacqueline Bell in Cedar Mills

Jacqueline Bell, age 71, was viciously murdered in 2014 by her great-grandson (Joda Cain, age 19) and his cousin (Mica Ward, age 22). The two men attacked Bell in her Cedar Mills home with a sledgehammer, then stole her purse, jewelry, and credit cards, and headed to Missouri in her car. Cain's case went to court first, and in September of 2015, Cain was found guilty of first degree Manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in state prison for his role in the attack.  

Update: On July 26, 2016, the court ruled that Ward would never be eligible for release or parole. He was sentenced to life in prison for the heinous murder of Ms. Bell.


Serial Child Predator Convicted for Crimes in Aloha, Forest Grove and the Philippines

Last year, Steven Rockett, age 56, pled guilty to sexually abusing at least five children, males and females, in Forest Grove for over four years. He was also convicted of using a hidden camera in his bathroom to photograph two other children while they showered. He was sentenced to 52 years in state prison in 2015.

Update: Rockett was sentenced on September 8, 2016 in United States District Court to 60 years in federal prison for crimes against children in Oregon and in the Philippines. Rockett is by far the worst serial child predator our detectives have seen in their law enforcement careers and, thankfully, he will not have an opportunity to harm any more children. We thank everyone involved in the tremendous combined efforts of local and federal law enforcement and the prosecution team.  


Rapist Sentenced for Kidnap and Sex Crimes Against Two Victims in Aloha
 
On September 14, 2016, Jose Ortiz-Rico, age 29, was sentenced for the rape of two young women in his car during April and May last year. He was charged with 15 counts of Rape in the first degree, Sex Abuse, Sodomy and Kidnapping.  

In April of 2015, Ortiz-Rico asked an acquaintance to help him move, but instead he drove to a rural area and sexually assaulted her over the course of eight hours, then let her go in the morning. The second victim was only 18 when she posted an ad on Craigslist that she needed a room to rent. He picked her up to see the living area, but instead drove her to a remote area in Aloha and raped her. The girl told the court she thought she was going to die that day.  

Sheriff's detectives obtained physical evidence from Ortiz-Rico's car, electronic evidence, and DNA evidence to prove that he was the perpetrator in the two cases. He would not take responsibility, nor did he show remorse for his crimes. Ortiz-Rico was sentenced to 56 years in state prison.

We hope the victims and families in each of these cases find peace or are able to heal in some way knowing these criminals will be imprisoned for many years.
Sheriff's Office to Help Patrol in North Plains 

Effective immediately, your Sheriff's Office will be supplementing city police services in North Plains, pursuant to a contract between the City and Washington County. This means North Plains residents will be seeing deputies on patrol when the chief and other city police officers are not on duty. The contract services are in addition to mutual aid that neighboring agencies in Washington County provide to one another when a major event occurs.

This is just one more example of the cooperation and partnerships we enjoy among Washington County law enforcement agencies.



Where Have Deputies Been Working?

Crime Reports automatically opens with a view of all requests for police service (except traffic) in unincorporated Washington County during the last 30 days.

-  Click on this link 
-  Enter your address to view your area
-  If you live in Banks, Cornelius, or Gaston, type your
   city in this format: "Banks, OR"

-  Click on map markers to view call details
-  Use the Advanced Search to change time periods,
   add traffic data, etc.

Crime Reports icon
Keep in mind - these are requests for police services, not confirmed crimes.




Call if You Can, Text if You Can't
New Service in Washington County

People in the Portland Metropolitan area now have the ability to text 911 in an emergency.

Calling 911 is always the best and fastest option, but a text message can still get you help as soon as possible.

A text message to 911 will get you in touch with your local dispatch center, and the dispatcher will ask your location. 

Texting 911 is great for people who may be in an unsafe situation to speak. It can also be valuable for people who are hard of hearing or for someone who has difficulty speaking.

Honorable Service

Medal of Valor - Off Duty Deputy Todd Hanlon
The Washington County Board of Commissioners recognized Deputy Todd Hanlon and fellow motorists Derek Kolstad and Justin and Camra Aufdermauer for their lifesaving efforts at a crash scene near Banks.

Sheriff Garrett with Justin and Camra Aufdermauer, Derek Kolstad, and Deputy Hanlon, who all received the Medal of Valor
On April 19, 2016, just before 11:00 p.m., a Jeep crashed into a field that separates westbound Highway 26 and westbound Highway 6. Flames from the engine compartment quickly began entering the Jeep's passenger compartment, and the occupants had suffered serious internal and external injuries. 

Derek pulled the unconscious female passenger from the back seat, and the Aufdermauers dragged her to safety. They also rescued a dog that was secured in the back of the vehicle. Deputy Hanlon removed the driver from the vehicle as flames from the engine compartment entered the passenger compartment. Without the quick, decisive, and selfless actions of these passing motorists, the occupants would not have survived this crash. Deputy Hanlon, who was off duty at the time of this crash, received the Sheriff's Medal of Valor for his lifesaving actions that day.

Detective Coley and Sheriff Garrett
Fire Investigator of the Year - Detective Mitch Coley
Detective Mitch Coley received the 2016 Fire Investigator of the Year award by the International Association of Arson Investigators on September 14, 2016. 

A detective for 10 of his nearly 20 years of service with the Sheriff's Office, Coley was nominated for this prestigious award for his diligent and tireless efforts investigating a series of arson fires set on Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation properties. The suspect was prosecuted for these crimes.
Read more.




Urban and Rural Residents - Time to Quake Up!

Just a few simple steps will increase your family's chances to survive and bounce back faster from a natural disaster. Come to the 2016 Quake Up! event at the fall Beaverton Farmers' Market.

This hands-on, educational event is presented by the Washington County CPO Program in partnership with the Beaverton Farmers' Market. Come for a few minutes or a couple of hours -- grab a coffee, fresh produce, and a little advice on how to survive an earthquake.

Quake Up! at the Beaverton Farmers' Market
Saturday, October 1, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Related News:
An earthquake research and development grant was recently awarded to the University of Oregon. The grant will help fund the new "ShakeAlert" system, which is a network of widely deployed ground movement sensors that use scientific algorithms to determine the likely magnitude of a developing quake. The system will send out alerts to residents of Oregon via cellphone or an existing public alert system.

COMMUNITY NEWS
Sheriff's Media Releases

08/25/16 - Sheriff's K-9 Chase Captures Fugitive - Hillsboro to Cornelius
A man serving time at the Washington County Community Corrections Center escaped the transitional facility by climbing out the window. Law enforcement was alerted to the area of Baseline Street and North 29th Avenue in Cornelius. Deputy Zaugg and his K-9 partner, Chase, contacted the man, who then fled the scene on foot. Deputy Zaugg and Chase tracked the man down at the Cornelius Cinemas. He was safely taken into custody and lodged in the jail for multiple crimes, including Escape II.

Deputies responded to a roll-over crash on Highway 26 near NW Maller Road. The driver was traveling west on the highway at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle came to rest 500 feet from the roadway; the driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.

09/03/16 - Driver Arrested After Vehicle Pursuit - West County
A woman reported to a deputy that her boyfriend damaged her car and threatened her. During the interview, the deputy saw the man drive by in her car. When the deputy tried to pull the car over, the driver refused to stop and led deputies on a pursuit. Forest Grove, Hillsboro, and North Plains police joined the effort and the suspect was taken into custody on multiple criminal charges. He is now lodged in the jail; this is an ongoing investigation.

Deputies responded to a single vehicle roll-over crash at NW Thompson Road and NW Hibbard Drive in the community of Bonny Slope. The driver failed to negotiate a turn and struck a fire hydrant, flipping his vehicle. The driver was not injured, and he was booked in the jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants.

Deputies responded to NW Phillips Road early in the morning in the community of Helvetia concerning a heavily damaged and crashed vehicle off the road. Deputies found the male driver deceased at the scene, and the investigation revealed the crash possibly occurred prior to midnight. Investigators believed excessive speed contributed to this fatal crash.

Two elderly female hospital patients made complaints to Sheriff's detectives regarding sexual criminal conduct by a certified nursing assistant. The suspect was arrested for Rape in the First Degree and Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the Second Degree. Detectives believe there could be more victims; this is an ongoing investigation.

House Burglarized by Unknown Male Suspect - Tigard
The evening of September 12, a Tigard woman called 911 because when she got home, she encountered a man inside her house. Startled, the man ran past her and out of her house. She reported her Harley Davidson motorcycle keys were stolen, as well as a fifth-wheel trailer. The suspect is a white male adult, wearing a black puffy vest with dark pants, with a brown buzzed haircut. He is about 5'6" tall and has a medium build. A witness in the neighborhood said she saw a man matching this description entering a blue car. If you have information that can help out Sheriff's deputies find this suspect, please call non-emergency dispatch at (503) 629-0111.

Local Road News
Read Washington County Roads to stay up-to-date on the latest road news
Visit TripCheck for the latest road conditions

Other News
Some households may qualify for a full-cost (free) replacement. Find an information session to attend to learn more.



Believe it or Not!
That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles . . . 

A motorist sped by a deputy near Highway 99W in the wee hours of a Tuesday night. The deputy noticed the driver's window was down and a strong odor of marijuana was coming from the car. The driver would not make eye contact with the deputy, and the man's bloodshot eyes were barely open. At one point, the driver was holding back a smile.

The deputy looked down at the man's lap and saw a vaping pen, as well as a package of devoured cookies, with cookie crumbs on his chin and down the front of his shirt.

Deputy: "How stoned are you?"

Driver:  "Uh . . . ha ha ha . . . ha ha ha . . ." 

Following field sobriety tests and assessment by a Drug Recognition Expert, he was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (the intoxicant being a drug). 
This Month's "Most Wanted"

The following people are wanted for committing crimes.  Do not approach them.
If you see them or have information to share with law enforcement, please call:

Sheriff's 24-Hour Criminal Records Office at (503) 846-2700, or 
Non-Emergency Dispatch at (503) 629-0111



Wanted flyers are online - click on a photo or visit:
 
Come Visit Your New Sheriff's Office Location!


 
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