June 2014 - Oregon State Police Officers Association

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Transcript June 2014 - Oregon State Police Officers Association

OSPOA MONTHLY TROOPER NEWS
JUNE 2014
WWW.OSPOA.COM
Official Publication of the Oregon State Police Officers’ Association
Trooper News
News, Information, Features, Opinions, and Letters Related to Law Enforcement
La Grande Office Flourishes in New Digs Designed for OSP Use
Left to right: Detective Dave Aydelotte, Detective Greg Retherford, Sergeant Chris Hawkins, Senior Trooper Kris Davis, Detective Daren Chandler, Trooper
Travis Moody, Senior Trooper Ryan Morehead, Sergeant Kyle Hove, Sergeant Sean Belding, Lieutenant Gordon Larson, Trooper Daniel Routt, Sergeant
Jason Stone, Senior Trooper Jesse Webb, Trooper Robert Routt, Senior Trooper Eric Madsen, Office Specialist Sharon Garritson; Trooper Jonathan, Trooper
Grant Jackson, Senior Trooper Jed Stone, Trooper Charles Rohlf, Senior Trooper/K-9 Handler Marcus McDowell and K-9 Maree.
By Dawn Plechl
but the OSP staff had far outgrown the area
nearby. Perhaps more importantly, it is a
As of February of this year, the La Grande
available, and the office did not have the
locked and gated compound for safety. It
Area Command is housed in its own, specifi-
DAS-required space for work. Additionally,
provides a truly professional environment.
cally designed office spaces. The new station
it lacked a private restroom, break room, and
is located in the La Grande Business Park, and
locker rooms for the OSP. The time had come
the command, was at the old location for
each portion of the building was designed
for an office of their own in La Grande.
about six years. “It’s not fancy, but it has ev-
with OSP use in mind.
“We absolutely love it,” says Sergeant
erything we need,” says Garritson. “We are
Sharon Garritson, the office specialist at
“It was fitted for us and will be a template
Hove. “We have the space we need and are
very happy with our new facility. We love it!”
for other new OSP offices,” says Sergeant Kyle
able to be more productive because we have
“We’re being acknowledged as a full-
Hove. “The spirit of the way it was designed is
more quiet space to work.”
fledged state agency,” adds Hove. “We never
to suit our needs.”
Now there is a break room and a locker
dreamed of having a new office. Now that we
The La Grande Area Command was, un-
room, as well as a vehicle bay--all new and
have it, we feel acknowledged as important
til recently, housed within the Oregon De-
never before used. It even has a classroom
to the community. It’s very rewarding.”
partment of Transportation building. The
that can be shared with other agencies and
arrangement was workable for many years,
includes a conveniently located break room
See More LA GRANDE photos, Pages 7 & 10
PAGE 2
JUNE 2014
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OSPOA TROOPER NEWS
President’s Post
senior Trooper Darrin Phillips
The past month has been flooded
repay all of the funds (and it was con-
with many issues. As many of you know,
templated), it would likely deplete all of
we held our SEC meeting last month
our reserves. The repayment as it stands
and debated the issue surrounding the
could cost the association up to $200,000.
department’s improper removal of dues
With that said, the money is yours, and
from all of your checks.
you have every right to claim the cash.
It was brought to my attention earlier
It is important to understand that the
in the year that a member believed that
amount of money you receive in your re-
OSP was taking the wrong amount of as-
payment is dependent on what incentive
sociation dues from his paycheck. After
level you are at and what your base pay
a number of inquiries, it was determined
is. In most instances, the difference be-
that sometime around 1994 OSP started
tween what was taken out of your check
taking your dues money from your check
and what should have been taken out
after any incentives were figured into
of your check each month was less than
your pay. Our constitution clearly states
$10. Compound that by 36 months times
that your dues should be collected on
hundreds of members and it adds up.
1 to September 30, 2014. The claims will
your base pay only.
cut off at that point.
It has taken us several months to get
problem has been fixed, and we hope to
Also remember that we now conduct
a handle on this issue, and, after two SEC
have the claims process up and running
all of our elections electronically, so if you
meetings debating the issue, we were
by July 1, 2014. A form will be posted on
want to vote in any upcoming election,
advised by our legal counsel that the as-
our website, and all you will have to do
you must be registered on the website as
sociation can be held responsible for the
is fill out the form and submit your claim
well. When you register, please don’t use
past 24 months of overpayment of dues.
if you want the cash refunded. We will
your state email address. You must use a
Our initial thought was that the mis-
be asking you to disclose what level of
private email address.
take was made by the department, and,
incentive you receive, when you started
therefore, they should be responsible
getting the incentive, and what your base
patient while we dealt with this issue.
for the repayment. Unfortunately, that
pay was over the past three years. We will
It was a very serious situation, and we
would place each member in the position
confirm the information and send you a
treated it as such.
of making a wage claim or filing a law suit
refund or our analysis of what we believe
against OSP, which would be sheltered
you should receive. If there is a dispute
other.
by the two year limit to repay. OSP would
about the repayment, it will be dealt with
then have to come after the association
by the SEC. If you don’t want a refund,
to recoup the funds from us, since we re-
then you have to do nothing.
ceived money that we should not have
received.
claim form, you must already be regis-
We decided that we would relieve all
tered or you must create your registra-
of you from the pain of going after OSP to
tion at that time. Log into the system,
get your money back. After several hours
then go to the members-only section to
of discussion, the SEC voted to set up a
access the form. If you are not registered,
repayment system by which you could
go ahead and register, and I will approve
claim your funds for a three year period.
you electronically. You will then be able
to complete the process.
It is important for all of you to under-
stand that if the association attempted to
The good part of the story is that the
If you go to our website to fill out your
The dues claim period will be from July
I want to thank all of you for being
Until next time….Take care of each
Darrin
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JUNE 2014
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OSPOA TROOPER NEWS
A Message from the Vice President
Senior Trooper Mark Banks
We are halfway through the two years
ed only one group within the membership
In the past, we have selected team
covered in our current collective bargain-
and when addressing specific topics im-
members and started our meetings in the
ing agreement. So it’s time to start looking
portant to non-bargaining team members.
last December of the contract. Our first
at who will be at the bargaining table for
For example, when addressing some dis-
one to two meetings are held without the
OSPOA in the next bargaining session and
patch related issues, we brought in several
management side being present so we can
what issues need to be addressed.
dispatchers from each center during those
discuss issues we intend to raise.
There has been a recent shift in bar-
bargaining sessions. Another example of
gaining interest over the last couple of con-
this is that we were scheduled to discuss
agement in the last January of the contract,
tracts. It used to be a difficult task to come
topics important to certain members, we
and establish a timeline during which both
up with people interested in bargaining
had pertinent members come only for
sides can raise bargaining issues.
who were also willing to commit to the
those sessions. So there is opportunity
though we may bargain for months, we
lengthy process. Recently, though, we had
to get involved in the bargaining process
may have to identify all the issues we in-
more people ask to be on the bargaining
even if you’re not selected for the bargain-
tend to raise within the first month of bar-
team than we had slots. It was nice to have
ing team or if you just can’t commit to the
gaining. Waiting to share an issue with the
the problem of turning away people in-
time it takes.
association leadership or bargaining team
stead of begging people and hoping they
Whether you have a desire to be in-
can create a situation where bargaining oc-
would show up and participate.
volved in the actual bargaining or not, ev-
curs for several more months, but it’s too
We usually begin meeting with man-
Even
If you’re interested in being on the next
ery member has the right to contact those
late to raise your issue. It is important to
bargaining team, now is the time to let us
selected to be on the bargaining team and
express your concerns early in the process.
know. Several members have already ap-
discuss issues important to them, their
proached Darrin about securing a slot on
workgroup, or discipline. I am always will-
bers want addressed in bargaining. I look
the bargaining team. So if being part of
ing to have a conversation with anyone
forward to hearing from you and starting
the next bargaining team is important to
about collective bargaining agreement
the process.
you, please don’t wait too long to let us
issues they would like to see addressed in
know.
the next contract. I’m even willing to trav-
el to meet in person with workgroups or
In the last bargaining session, we used
a different approach on topics that affect-
I’m always interested in what our mem-
Mark Banks
worksites.
OSP Retiree Jim Mediger
October 28, 1950 - May 22, 2014
Jim Mediger passed away on May 22, 2014. He was a won-
derful and loving husband, father, friend, and Oregon State
Police trooper. He enjoyed life to its fullest and jumped into
life with both feet until the end.
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1950, Jim married his
high school sweetheart, Candis “Candy” Wilson, and they had
two beautiful children, Monte James and Angela Marie. Jim
joined the U.S. Navy in 1969 and served on the USS Constellation as a plane captain. In 1973, Jim fulfilled his high school
dream of joining the Oregon State Police. He thought of the
department as a second family and retired on his birthday in
the year 2000 as station commander of the Klamath Falls office.
Jim had given 27 years of service. He will be greatly missed.
Left: The OSP honor guard at Jim Mediger's funeral. Their
presence was impressive and moving during the service at
Portland’s Willamette National Cemetery.
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JUNE 2014
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OSPOA TROOPER NEWS
The ETHOS Project: An Overview from Senior Trooper Greg Costanzo
Over the next eighteen months, I am on
Six months ago, I enrolled at Western
facilitated by Survey Monkey that each of you
a quest to answer some questions that every
Oregon University (WOU) with the intent to
will be receiving on July 1, 2014. This survey
police officer must ask themselves sometime
obtain my master’s degree in criminal justice.
will be anonymous and will lay the founda-
during their career. I will get some of my an-
My graduate studies began with a class titled,
tion for my quantitative research project.
swers through something called “The ETHOS
“Ethics in Law Enforcement.” The concepts
Project.”
and ideas I learned during this class changed
vital information that everyone should be
Including my time serving in the U.S.
my outlook on my career and changed my
aware of. I pitched this idea approximately
Army, I have spent nearly two decades in the
life forever. I began formulating my gradu-
five months ago to my local chain of com-
field of law enforcement. During that time, I
ate project and quickly realized my field of
mand in Central Point, and to the upper level
have seen the evolution of “modern policing”
study. I am going to investigate how ethics,
leadership at General Headquarters. The OSP
take on many different dynamic changes.
leadership, and strategies for a successful ca-
could not be more supportive of this project,
Some of the changes have been for the bet-
reer help guide each officer as they navigate
and I am truly grateful for their willingness to
ter, and some have led down the path toward
through this era of modern policing.
explore this idea. OSPOA president Darrin
increased scrutiny of the individual officer
I eventually came up with something I call
Phillips has also been fully open to this idea
professionally and personally. There is no
“The ETHOS Project.” ETHOS is synonymous
and is supportive of the concept and project.
getting around the fact that “modern polic-
with character and will also be used as an
I hope everyone reading this article takes the
In conclusion, I would like to relay some
ing” is here to stay. During sixteen years with
10-minute survey that I am putting out via
the Oregon State Police, I have seen patterns
department email July 1, 2014.
and trends regarding personal conduct that
have made me think about the career that I
The ETHOS Project, but I cannot elaborate be-
have chosen to spend my life working in.
cause I might taint the baseline survey. I have
This led me to study the evolution of po-
had numerous people ask me if I was going
lice officers based on their mental state of
to begin teaching ethics to the field. Teaching
mind. I coined a phrase, calling it, “Rookie
police officers not to take a free cup of coffee
to Retiree.” Do we retire with the same vigor
is not the primary focus of this project. Sim-
and enthusiasm for our career in law enforce-
ply put, my intent is to provide police officers
ment as we began it? Are we living by the
with the strategies and knowledge to navi-
standard, “I want to leave my unit or agency
gate through this career successfully. With
better than it was when I was hired”? I have
that being accomplished, ethical decisions
seen too many good police officers leave this
will become second nature--trust me!
I would like to go into more detail about
career for various reasons, often revolving
acronym: Ethics That Help Officers Succeed –
I know the Survey Monkey concept is
around unethical conduct. Could we have
ETHOS. The ETHOS Project has evolved into
commonly used and is not the most impor-
saved one of them, maybe two?
a collaborative effort of the Oregon State
tant thing for anyone to do. However, with
Police (OSP), the Oregon State Police Officers
your help, I hope to present a high comple-
sion who become apathetic, disinterested,
Association (OSPOA), WOU, and Southern Or-
tion rate for this survey. It will truly show the
and unmotivated to do the job of policing.
egon University.
academic staff at WOU and SOU how much
We have all known people in our profes-
The questions I continue to have spinning in
I will be involving the Trooper News and
troopers support each other and care about
my head regarding these topics are varied in
other avenues to inform each of you about
the future of police officers within our ranks.
nature. What happens to police officers over
this program over the next eighteen months.
Once again, please take the time and com-
the span of a career that causes apathy, bitter-
I am excited to share my information with
plete the perception survey that will be sent
ness, and disillusionment? Is there anything
the members of the OSP. My first step in the
to you on July 1, 2014.
we can do about it? My ultimate question re-
program began in March and has involved
mained, “Will I become one of these officers
several pilot groups, including college stu-
Thank You!
without even knowing it?” To be honest, I was
dents enrolled at WOU, and recently involved
Greg Costanzo
scared by the possible answers. That was the
the Fish and Game Division. The next step
Senior Trooper
question that has motivated me personally
involves establishing baseline quantitative
to investigate this phenomenon within our
analysis while using a perception survey. This
ranks.
step involves a statewide electronic survey
PAGE 5
JUNE 2014
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OSPOA TROOPER NEWS
Third Annual Fallen Trooper Memorial Run
This year’s third annual Fallen Trooper Memorial
Run was another successful and positive event. Co-organizers OSP Detectives Chris Schinnerer and Cari Boyd
worked tirelessly to make this event one to remember.
Numerous amazing volunteers also contributed their
time and energy and the event would not have been
possible without their generosity.
Agencies such as the Oregon State Police, the Salem
PD, the Pendleton PD, the Eugene PD, the Portland PB,
Marion County SO, and many others offered their help
and support to the cause.
Friends and family of the fallen 33 were in atten-
dance, sharing laughter, thoughts, memories, and their
day with us all together. There were also 100 more en-
Above: Race winners, the Prevett family, who ran in
memory of Marion County sheriff ’s deputy Tyler
Chapman, who died in an off-duty motorcycle accident
in 2012.
Left: Members of the Holly Holcomb family enjoy the walk.
Below: Members of the Berg family at the finish line.
tries than last year for a total of 310 runners!
Event sponsors pulled out all the stops and
supported the event through the T-shirts, medals,
and parking. Thanks are due to The Willeford Group
(Greg Willeford), Chinook Winds Casino, and Capitol
Toyota.
The day began with a moment of silence in
honor of the state’s 33 fallen troopers, followed by
a musical tribute by Portland Police Highland Guard
Bagpiper, Dale Courtney, who is the nephew of Dale
Courtney, a fallen trooper. The events of the day included a 10K, 5K, kids’ fun run 1K, and then a Cross
Fit relay race with six teams of six.
The day raised $9,535 for the splendid memorial
scheduled for unveiling this August.
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JUNE 2014
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OSPOA TROOPER NEWS
Senior Trooper Jim Collom Receives Fish & Wildlife Division's 2013 Trooper of the Year Award
Oregon State Police (OSP) Senior Trooper
ment activities. He also assists the Patrol Divi-
a speaker at hunter education classes, and
Jim Collom of the Central Point Area Com-
sion troopers in handling crashes and other
helps organize OSP’s booth each year at the
mand office was recognized May 14, 2014,
calls for rural law enforcement services.
Sportsmen’s Show.
for his dedication to protecting Oregon citi-
As the department’s statewide coordina-
Some recent cases worked by Collom in-
zens and our natural resources when he
clude the investigation of an Eagle Point-area
received the OSP Fish & Wildlife Division’s
deer poaching ring that led to the service of
2013 Trooper of the Year award. This award
seven search warrants and the charging of
honors a trooper who, among many traits,
eight suspects for crimes including 23 felony
embodies excellent efforts and outside-
counts. Additionally, he was involved in the
the-box thinking to address issues, mentor-
investigation of the poaching of a trophy
ship, teamwork, and dedication to protect-
class buck that was shot and left to waste in a
ing Oregon’s citizens and natural resources.
field in the Eagle Point area. It was a difficult
Captain Jeff Samuels, director of the
case to solve, with little evidence, and Collom
OSP Fish & Wildlife Division, said selec-
had a news release issued and solicited fund-
tion for this award is made after reviewing
ing for a $3,000 reward. The investigation
nominations submitted from the field force.
also identified the unlawful shooting of three
The selected nomination was submitted by
large buck, and led to charges for a man and
Sergeant Kirk Meyer, and this year’s twelve
his wife.
nominations are believed to be the most re-
“This isn’t just a one-year nomination
ceived in a single year since the award was
with Jim,” said Lieutenant David Gifford. “He
first presented.
continues year after year to be one of the fin-
Senior Trooper Collom has been in-
Senior Trooper Jim Collom in his work environment.
volved with enforcing fish and wildlife
est Fish & Wildlife officers that we have anywhere in the state, and he’s overdue for this
laws for about 22 years, including 14 years
tor for the “Turn-in-Poachers” (TIP) program,
recognition.”
with OSP following nine years as a game war-
Collom administers rewards given by the Or-
Congratulations to Senior Trooper Jim
den in Idaho. Passionate about his job, Col-
egon Hunters Association (OHA) to tipsters
Collom.
lom is known to be a top performer on his
for information on fish and wildlife cases. He
Fish & Wildlife team, including the number
also writes articles for the OHA magazine,
of field contacts, investigations, and enforce-
works closely with local ODFW biologists, is
OSP Fish & Wildlife Division's Columbia Basin Team Selected as Team of the Year for 2013
The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife
Earl Connell, Senior Trooper Dain Gardner,
During 2013, the Columbia Basin Team
Division recognized the outstanding work
Senior Trooper Brian Jewett, Senior Trooper
had several notable cases pointed out by
of troopers from the Columbia Basin Team
Mike Mayer, Senior Trooper Marv Ritter, and
East Region Fish & Wildlife Division Lieuten-
based out of the Pendleton Area Command
Senior Trooper Greg Sherman.
ant Don Wagner in nominating the team for
office when Captain Jeff Samuels announced
special recognition.
last week that the team was the recipient
diverse area to cover, including the Columbia
of the division's Team of the Year award for
River and mountain forests to desert environ-
of the most well-rounded teams in the state
2013. This award celebrates and recognizes
ments, with a wide variety of species to pro-
and consistently seeks out and investigates
outstanding teamwork by OSP Fish and Wild-
tect while also providing professional rural
complex criminal cases, demonstrating ser-
life troopers in protecting Oregon's natural
law enforcement services. This team is very
vice that surpasses ordinary standards," said
resources.
capable and able to tackle any investigation
Wagner.
"The Columbia Basin Team has a vast and
"The Columbia Basin Team is perhaps one
The seven-member Columbia Basin Team,
through a great team effort and a passion for
supervised by Sergeant Tim Brown, is as-
the job. I am very impressed by their level of
late 2012, lasting over a year, into a report of
signed to work the John Day, Heppner, Herm-
teamwork, dedication, service to the public,
ongoing illegal hunting activities at a north-
iston and Pendleton areas. Team members
and protection of natural resources," said
east Oregon ranch. The investigation
include Sergeant Tim Brown, Senior Trooper
Samuels.
One notable investigation was initiated in
See AWARD, Page 7
PAGE 7
JUNE 2014
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OSPOA TROOPER NEWS
AWARD, continued from Page 6
alleges several individuals connected with
in several other crimes across multiple ven-
the seizure of more than 25 trophy deer and
the ranch conducted fee hunts associated
ues. The investigation to date has involved
elk antlers, vehicles, firearms and other evi-
with an illegal guide operation involving
OSP troopers from all three divisions (Patrol,
dence.
numerous wildlife violations and other as-
Criminal, and Fish & Wildlife) and has led to
sociated
Team member Senior Trooper Mike May-
crimes.
er was one of the
The ongoing inves-
three OSP troopers
tigation, involving
awarded the Medal
20 Fish & Wildlife
of Valor and the De-
troopers coordinat-
partment's Lifesav-
ed from all over the
ing Award for ex-
state, may lead to
traordinary
over 200 counts of
and lifesaving efforts
criminal and wild-
during the Decem-
life charges.
ber 2012 multi-fatal
Another ongo-
tour bus crash along
ing
Interstate 84 east of
investigation,
actions
into suspected se-
Pendleton.
rial poaching, in-
Congratula-
volves a suspect
tions, Columbia Ba-
believed
sin Team!
to
be
hunting on a suspended hunting license and involved
Left to right: Senior Trooper Mike Mayer, Senior Trooper Marv Ritter, Senior Trooper Greg Sherman, Sergeant
Tim Brown, Senior Trooper Brian Jewett, Senior Trooper Earl Connell, Senior Trooper Dain Gardner
LA GRANDE, continued from Page 1
Sergeant Kyle Hove of La Grande Area Command is now able to lead patrol meetings in a space suitable and spacious enough to accommodate all
the area command troopers. This photo is from their first patrol meeting in the new space.
See another LA GRANDE photo, Page 10
PAGE 8
JUNE 2014
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OSPOA TROOPER NEWS
Trooper Events and Announcements
Edward E. Hanson
1946 - May 20, 2014
Edward Eugene Hanson, 67, passed away
on May 20, 2014, at his home in Salem, Utah,
after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was born in Nampa, Idaho, in 1946,
and attended Ontario High School, Treasure
Valley Community College, and Ricks College
in Idaho. After working for a short time as a
deputy for Malheur County, he joined the
Oregon State Police, where he served for 29
years. His positions included patrolman, detective, and station commander for Southern
Oregon, and he worked in Klamath Falls, On-
Promotions
Reassignments
Mariah Rawlins, Administrative Specialist
1, to Program Analyst 1, SFM
Jeffrey Hershman, Lieutenant, Portland,
Patrol, to Captain, Criminal, GHQ
David Anderson, Lieutenant, Fish &
Wildlife, to Captain Patrol, GHQ
Tamara Dimick, Office Specialist 2, to
Office Specialist 2, Sex Offender Registration
Pam Mahan, ISS6 LD, to ISS6-Application
Team, IT & Technology
Shawna Fenison, Administrative Specialist 2, to Training & Development Specialist 1, SFM
Eric Gemmil, Executive Assistant, to
Operations & Policy Analyst 3, GHQ
Trooper Herman (Alex) Monarch, Patrol,
Portland, to Detective, Criminal, Major
Crimes, Portland
Senior Trooper Marcus McDowell,
Patrol, La Grande, to Fish & Wildlife,
La Grande
Senior Trooper Tanya Henderson, Patrol,
Grants Pass, to Detective, Criminal
(Drug Enforcement Section), Grants
Pass
Trooper Brent Ocheskey, Patrol, The
Dalles, to Fish & Wildlife, The Dalles
Captain Theodore Phillips, Patrol, General Headquarters, to Forensics Services, General Headquarters
Lieutenant Steve Mitchell, Patrol, OSU,
to Patrol, Coos Bay
Lieutenant Steve Smartt, Patrol, Coos
Bay, to Patrol, LaGrande
Trooper Leland Farrar, Patrol, Florence,
to Fish & Wildlife, Florence
Senior Trooper Jered McLain, Patrol,
Springfield, to Detective, Criminal
(Drug Enforcement Section), Springfield
Retirements
tario, Salem, and Medford.
Ed was a man of many interests and was
active in community service.
He leaves behind his best friend and wife
of nearly 45 years, Nancy Kathryn Hill Hanson; his sons, Carl (Loraine) and Mark (Carrie)
Hanson; daughters, Andrea (Vern) Pellman
Stephanie Gourley, Senior Trooper,
Klamath Falls
Cindy Kropp, Fingerprint Tech, CJIS
Gordon Larson, Lieutenant, La Grande
John Meister, Senior Trooper, Newport
Colleen Olson, Training and Development Specialist, SFM
and Janel Hanson; six grandchildren, and
two great-grandchildren.
Condolences may be sent to the family
at: www.walkerobits.com.
Upcoming Events
June 16 – 20, 2014 22nd Annual Cow Camp Gathering
Jack Creek Forest Service Campground near Sisters
For OSP F&W, ODFW, and USFWS
Contact Gary or Mary Hayden at 541-382-2707 or [email protected]
August 1, 2014 Dedication of the Oregon State Police Fallen
Trooper Memorial
Salem, Oregon
More information as the dedication approaches.
August 2, 2014 Memorial Softball Tournament
Bend, Oregon
Contact Senior Trooper James P. Duncan at 503-378-4931 for more information.
August 2, 2014 First Annual Memorial Ride
Salem, Oregon
Contact Senior Trooper Craig Ball of the Salem Area Command at [email protected].
September 9 and December 9, 2014 Florence Area
HR218 Qualifications, 1 p.m.
Siuslaw Rod & Gun Club
Contact Fred Ross at [email protected] for more information.
New Hires
Kristin Laluk, Laboratory Technician 2,
Portland Forensic Lab
Cherlyn Prescott, Office Specialist 2,
Criminal Justice Information Services
Josh Taylor, Compliance Specialist 2,
Office of State Fire Marshal
Amanda Goodwin, Forensic Scientist 1,
Springfield Lab
Pamela Wasson, Office Specialist 2,
Criminal Justice Information Services
Anne Ward, Office Specialist 2, Criminal
Justice Information Services
Deborah Rodriguez, Telecommunicator
2, Southern Command Center
Kristin Schafer, Compliance Specialist 2,
SFM
Departures
Brent Whinnery, Office Specialist 2, GHQ
Earl Horning, Administrative Specialist
1, SFM
Kim Dempsey, Research Analyst II, GHQ
Teresa Ruck, Governmental Auditor II,
Tribal Gaming
Pamela Thomas, Office Specialist II, GHQ
PAGE 9
JUNE 2014
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OSPOA TROOPER NEWS
Pendleton Area Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony
During the month of May, many agencies acknowledge the sacrifices made by both soldiers and law enforcement officers. On May 13, troopers
participated in one such memorial ceremony in the Pendleton area. The images here are from that event. Above Left: Honor Guard from Eastern
Oregon Correctional Institute and Two Rivers Correctional Institute, and Undersheriff Jim Littlefield (Umatilla County Sheriff's Office). Above Right:
Senior Trooper Brandi Zeckman (Pendleton), Sergeant Seth Cooney (Hermiston), Lieutenant Mike Turner (Pendleton), Recruit Trooper Wes Linhart
(Pendleton)
Caption Contest Results
Our contest photo this month features Senior
Trooper Stephanie Bigman displaying a cougar from
this woman’s property. The caption winner is Jeromy Hasenkamp with his darkly humorous caption,
“If you wanted your cat down alive, you should’ve
called the fire department.” His caption received the
most likes on our OSPOA Facebook page.
The caption winner will receive a $25 gift card.
Thanks for playing! You can find the many other
caption ideas on our OSPOA closed group Facebook
page.
WINNING CAPTION:
“If you wanted your cat
down alive, you should’ve
called the fire department.”
PAGE 10
JUNE 2014
WWW.OSPOA.COM
OSPOA TROOPER NEWS
OSP Fish & Wildlife Officers Advise Citizens to Leave Babies in the Wild
By Dawn Plechl
mistakenly identify these youngsters as sick
This time of year is busy with babies for
or abandoned, when, in reality, they are usu-
many in the OSP Fish & Wildlife work sites
ally just waiting in the grasses for their near-
around the state. With the coming of beauti-
by parent to return.
ful weather, citizens on hikes or out to pick
mushrooms or enjoying some other outdoor
nior Fish & Wildlife Trooper Mike Mayer, out
“Really, they are trying to hide,” says Seof Pendleton. “The mother will also hide
nearby and then go back and get the baby.”
Unfortunately, well-intentioned citizens
often gather up these babies and deliver
them to OSP offices in an attempt to save
them. “The sad part is, you might really be
separating the baby from their parent,” says
Mayer. “Deer fawn are incredibly expensive
to raise and release. The state of Oregon
doesn’t have sparse elk or deer numbers, so
resources can’t be spent raising these wild
animals.”
turned out to be an elk calf,” says Mayer. It
However, sometimes a baby is clearly or-
was a good-sized youngster, about the size of
phaned and in need of help. Fish & Wildlife
a six- or eight-month-old deer. Experts at the
Trooper Mark Jubitz, out of The Dalles, re-
Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife said it
cently rescued a tiny orphaned fawn when
was more mature and the best course of ac-
its mother was hit by a car. A citizen found
tion would be to bring him back to the spot
the deer, called OSP for assistance, and Jub-
where he was found. Officer Mayer did so
itz went to the scene. He brought the fawn
and watched the little elk bound away with
to Rowena Wildlife Clinic, where it eagerly
purpose once he was set free.
Trooper Mark Jubitz, a Fish & Wildlife officer out of The took a bottle of goat’s milk.
Dalles, holding an orphaned fawn.
Recently, a young girl called the Pendle-
This elk calf enjoyed a ride with the Pendleton OSP.
Oregon Fish & Wildlife troopers remind
citizens that the best place for animal babies
activity commonly come upon baby animals
ton office to say she’d found a deer fawn.
is in their own habitat, where their parent
in the woods. These good Samaritans often
“She got out of her car holding what
animals can find them.
LA GRANDE, continued from Page 7
The new digs for the La Grande Area Command--new and specially suited to Oregon State Police use.
PAGE 11
JUNE 2014
WWW.OSPOA.COM
OSPOA TROOPER NEWS
A note from the Editor
The Trooper News Wants
to Publish Your Articles,
Letters, and Photos
Dawn Plechl
Summer has begun, and this summer’s issues of the
Trooper News will feature more stories about regional
This newspaper is your means of communicating with other OSPOA members
statewide. Articles, letters, and photographs that are appropriate are accepted
from members and nonmembers alike. It
is desired that articles be limited to approximately 500 words except by agreement with the editor. You can also contact
the editor about developing an idea you
might have that you would prefer assistance in writing.
An honorarium is offered upon publication.
offices which I have had the pleasure to visit.
Thanks are due to all of the troopers and their
spouses who are beginning to send news, photos,
and story ideas on a regular basis. This is the only
way to keep the Trooper News relevant to the troops!
I encourage all of you to consider sending a little
something our way and enjoying your 15 minutes of
TN fame. A little good-natured ribbing from your colleagues is almost guaranteed!
Here at the Trooper News, we wish a safe and joyful summer to the entire OSPOA extended family and
their loved ones.
Submit articles to:
Editor, Trooper News
[email protected]
503-881-0283
Advertise in the Trooper News
If your business is interested in advertising in the Trooper News, please contact OSPOA offices at 503-393-6535 or [email protected]. Print
versions of the TN are mailed to all OSP troopers and to many retired troopers and their families. An online version of the newsletter appears each month
on the OSPOA website at http://www.ospoa.com/publications and is also emailed to all OSPOA members.
Contact OSPOA
President
Darrin Phillips
[email protected]
Vice President
Mark Banks
[email protected]
Office Manager
Amy Lindseth
[email protected]
Treasurer
James Reeher
[email protected]
Secretary
Jim Ragon
[email protected]
Region 1 Rep
Tom Hatch
[email protected]
Region 2 Rep
Ray Stallsworth
[email protected]
Region 3 Rep
Robert Gorman
[email protected]
Region 4 Rep
Tim Thomas
[email protected]
Region 5 Rep
Dennis Yaws
[email protected]
Sergeants’ Rep
Mike Iwai
[email protected]
Devon Sommers
[email protected]
Non-Sworn Rep
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO 344
SALEM, OR
OREGON STATE POLICE
OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION
3905 River Road N, Suite B
Keizer, OR 97303-4890
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