On May 20th, 2016 the Polk County Sheriff’s Office had six new reserve deputies graduate from the Mid Valley Reserve Training (MVRT) Program.  The MVRT academy concluded its 7 month long reserve academy by graduating 22 volunteer reserve officers and deputies from 10 different agencies throughout the Willamette Valley.  The participating agencies include the Marion, Yamhill, Benton and Polk County Sheriff’s Offices and the Dallas, Keizer, Lebanon, McMinville and Yamhill Police Departments.  During this academy, reserve deputies volunteered their time to receive over 325 hours of Law Enforcement training that is very similar to what a full time deputy would receive at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) in Salem.   “Some reserves use this program to gain experience to get hired as a full time deputy and some use it to volunteer within their community.  Regardless of their intent, both avenues show a commitment to this profession and to their community”, Sheriff Mark Garton said.

MVRT was formed in 2007 during an effort to combine resources from participating agencies so those agencies could have a centralized and more efficient way to train their reserve deputies or officers.  The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has utilized MVRT since its creation as we have found it to be a very well organized program and it provides the reserves with the needed skills to do the job. Polk County reserve deputies dedicate many volunteer hours every week and the Sheriff’s Office would not be able to complete as many tasks in the community without them.

Immediately following the graduation Sheriff Garton swore in the six new reserve deputies, which brings the total number of reserve deputies to 13. The number of reserves in our program has been higher in the past, but with the passage of the public safety levy several were hired for corrections or patrol deputy positions.  “Not everyone is able to serve their community in this way and I would like to thank all of the reserves for sacrificing time with their family to serve Polk County as a reserve deputy sheriff”, Sheriff Mark Garton said.

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On May 20th, 2016 the Polk County Sheriff’s Office had three Corrections Deputies graduate from the Basic Corrections Academy at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST). Deputies Steene, Hofferber and Rierson all successfully completed the 6-week training program. Sheriff Mark Garton had the honor to be the guest speaker during the graduation ceremony today and urged the graduates to “retain their perspective they have today and to honor this profession by holding themselves to a higher standard everyday”.

During the academy training the new corrections deputies received training in defensive tactics, use of force, firearms, Oregon and Federal Law and communication skills. These deputies are all brand new to the profession and new to the Sheriff’s Office. The corrections academy training provides a good foundation of skills and knowledge for them to build upon when they return to their agency. When they return to the Polk County jail they must complete their 12-14-week field training program, which begins Monday. During their field training, they will be training alongside more experienced corrections deputies to ensure they fully understand all facets of being a corrections deputy in the Polk County jail. These three deputies were hired for the positions that were granted from the voter approved public safety levy.

Also, on May 13th, 2016 Deputy Mike Smith graduated from the basic police class at DPSST. Deputy Smith successfully completed a 16-week training program while at DPSST. During the basic police training Deputy Smith learned a variety of topics ranging from defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations, Oregon criminal law, federal law, firearms and a wide variety of other topics. Deputy Smith has already completed his field training program prior to going to DPSST and started back to patrol two days after graduating. Deputy Smith was also hired from the positions granted in the voter approved public safety levy.

On June 10th, 2016 the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has four patrol deputies that will be graduating from the police academy. These deputies will need to complete some of their field training when they return from DPSST and after they complete their training it will allow the Sheriff’s Office to expand its services and patrol hours

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On May 11th, 2016 Sheriff Mark Garton had the honor to present two lifesaving awards and a Certificate of Merit to members of the Lincoln County and Polk County Sheriff Offices’. The incident stemmed from a motor vehicle crash on March 2nd, 2016 at about 9:30 AM. Lincoln County Deputy Eric Larson and Support Services Specialist Shelby Baker were traveling from Lincoln County to Monmouth Oregon on Highway 223, south of Dallas. While near McTimmonds Cr. Rd, they observed an oncoming vehicle leave the shoulder of the roadway and collide with some trees.

The crashed vehicle immediately began smoking. Deputy Larson was joined by Polk County Reserve Deputy Eric Berry, who was also passing through the area. Fire and medical assistance were called, but the vehicle caught fire and immediate action was required. Deputy Larson and Deputy Berry discovered the vehicle damage and debris from the crash prevented quick access to the car, but they were able to force the door open with their hands and pull the driver, the sole occupant, to safety.
Immediately after the deputies removed the driver from the car the vehicle became engulfed in flames and two minutes later there was an explosion inside the vehicle. The driver of the car was Jon Carey, of Monmouth.

Because of the actions of Deputy Eric Larson and Reserve Deputy Eric Berry they were both presented with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office lifesaving awards during a Polk County Board of Commissioners meeting at the courthouse. A Certificate of Merit was also given to Shelby Baker for her actions during the rescue. Commissioner Jennifer Wheeler, along with Commissioners Ainsworth and Pope presented Eric with the Board of Commissioners Letter of Commendation because when the rescue occurred Eric Berry was working in the capacity of Polk County Surveyor.

The driver, Jon Carey was in attendance with his family during the awards presentation and said some brief remarks regarding the crash. While still in a wheel chair and recovering from his injuries from just over 2 months ago, he was very gracious and thankful for the actions of his rescuers and truly believed that they were meant to be in that exact place at that specific time and without them he would have died.

Listed below is the type of award each recipient received along with the inscription that is displayed on each of their awards.

Certificate of Merit Presented to Shelby Baker

Because of your assistance on March 2nd, 2016 while on scene of a motor vehicle crash on Highway 223 in Polk County the life of the driver, Jon Carey was saved and allowed to return to his family that day.

Life Saving Award Presented to Deputy Eric Larson

Deputy Larson, on March 2nd, 2016 you engaged in the life saving rescue of Polk County resident Jon Carey who was involved in a motor vehicle crash in rural Polk County. If it were not for your attentiveness and distinct actions at the scene by removing Mr. Carey who was seriously injured and trapped inside his car as it began to erupt in flames, he would have perished. The value of human life is unmeasurable and your actions that day allowed Mr. Carey to return to his family.

Life Saving Award Presented to Deputy Eric Berry

Deputy Berry, on March 2nd, 2016 you engaged in the life saving rescue of Polk County resident Jon Carey who was involved in a motor vehicle crash in rural Polk County. Even though you were not on duty as a deputy, you still responded to help as you were nearby. If it were not for your decisive and swift actions at the scene by removing Mr. Carey who was seriously injured and trapped inside the car as it began to erupt in flames, he would have perished. The value of human life is unmeasurable and your actions that day allowed Mr. Carey to return to his family that day.

Board of Commissioners’ Letter of Commendation Presented to Eric Berry, County Surveyor

 
WHEREAS, Eric Berry, is the County Surveyor and a member of the Sheriff’s Department Reserve Deputies; and

WHEREAS, Eric Berry, on March 2, 2016, responded quickly to the scene of a motor vehicle accident and executed the rescue of Mr. John Carey who was trapped in his vehicle, which caught fire; and

WHEREAS, Eric Berry’s willingness to promptly respond and take alert action, without regard of personal safety, which resulted in the saving of a life, is heroic and indicative of his high moral character; now therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that the Polk County Board of Commissioners recognizes and commends Eric Berry for his life saving actions.

Dated this 11th day of May, 2016

POLK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Jennifer Wheeler, Chair Mike Ainsworth Craig Pope