SUMMER 2023

Search and Rescue (SAR) Training

In June Umatilla SAR hosted the Eastern Oregon Search and Rescue Regional training. A three-day training event kicked off with a mock report of an airplane crash and SAR teams were activated. The training was purposely designed so that participants were not aware of the scenario details ahead of time. This allowed SAR members to problem-solve and react in a more realistic way. The training base camp was Meadowood Camp on Weston Mountain. The training provides opportunities for some to step into leadership roles they have never worked in a real search and on-site for mentors to guide them. Participants included SAR members from seven counties, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Harney, Gilliam, Baker, and Malheur, as well as Civil Air Patrol. Thank you to all who participated and Congratulations on a job well done! Interested in becoming a member of Umatilla SAR? Click here to go to their website.

Summer Safety

During these last days of summer, remember to stay hydrated

If you are planning to spend time on the water, check out this Safety on the Water video from the Oregon Marine Board. You can visit their website for Safety & Education information.

Stay Safe and Have Fun!

Jail Renovation Completion

The Umatilla County Jail renovation project had been completed. The remodel and updates to the building will help to better serve the community in a more efficient manner. While also allowing for a better utilization of space for adults in custody, and facility usage.

Search and Rescue

Wildnerness First Aid Rescue Training

Umatilla Search and Rescue completed training during June 12th - 16th. Thank you to our SAR Team and Volunteers for participating, and Thank you to United States Forest Service Trail and Fire Staff.

Emergency Advisories

Did you know? You can access information on emergency advisories in Umatilla County (such as evacuation notices) through the Umatilla County Emergency Management website. Click on EMERGENCY ADVISORIES.

UPCOMING EVENT...

Umatilla County Fair

August 9-12, 2023

Search and Rescue members preparing for evacuation notices.

Wildfires

On June 13th, 2023 fires erupted in Umatilla County, one near Mt. Hebron in Pendleton and another near Hat Rock Area outside of Umatilla. Strong winds and hot conditions contributed to the spread of the fires. Both fires required multiple fire departments to respond and prompted evacuation notices. Umatilla County Search and Rescue Teams and Umatilla County Deputies responded to go door to door notifying residents of the evacuation notices. Sage Delong (the new Emergency Manager) activated the Emergency Operations Center. Staff members of the Umatilla County Sheriff's Office, Commissioner John Shafer and other agencies responded to work in the Emergency Operation Center at the Sheriff's Office. The Hat Rock Fire Traveled fast and lasted for several days. Six fire-fighting teams from around the State of Oregon were called in to assist with the fires. Local farmers also helped to gain control of the fire. This was an outstanding example of agency and community cooperation.

Rest in Peace

On June 8th, 2023 Deputy Jan Good passed away. Deputy Good was an amazing woman who dedicated her life to Search and Rescue and Law Enforcement. She began her law enforcement career in 1978 as the first female officer for Pilot Rock Police Department. At a time when female officers were a rare thing anywhere, Jan became a pioneer and made her mark in a male-dominated profession. After attaining the rank of Sergeant with Pilot Rock Police Department, Jan joined the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office in 2000. She worked as a marine deputy and a domestic violence investigator and volunteered as the Captain of the Sheriff's Office Mounted Posse, and a member of Search and Rescue. As a volunteer, Jan Good was appointed the Umatilla County Search and Rescue coordinator and served there for many years. She would get called at all hours of the day and night to assemble her team and rescue some lost soul. She was skilled in every aspect of search and rescue and taught countless others to follow in her footsteps. At the time of her death, she remained a part of search and rescue and served as a board member of the Umatilla County Search and Rescue Team.

Jan was known for saying what she thought and standing her ground when she knew she was right. She had a fierce set of morals and a love for law enforcement. If you got lost in the woods, she would not hesitate to come to save you. And ( once you were safe) if you needed an education on how to avoid getting lost in the future, she would not hesitate to provide you with one. Although she could appear gruff on the outside, those of us that knew her best, knew she had a big heart. If she saw you struggling, she would offer assistance. She paid attention to others around her and many of us have stories of her offering support and encouragement when we were having a bad day. She understood the struggles of this profession and shared the wisdom she learned through the years.

She was a feisty, dedicated, selfless public servant and her dedication to the profession paved the way for others coming after her. She will be missed.

Welcome Interns

Mayra Rodriguez

Dacceli Gonzalez

Umatilla County Sheriff's Office has two interns hanging out with our staff this summer. Dacceli comes to us through a program at Umatilla High School. Mayra is a senior at Western Oregon University. Both will be given opportunities to experience the many roles of law enforcement within the Sheriff's Office including, patrol, jail, evidence, dispatch, records, and civil. We feel that participation in intern programs is an important investment in the future of law enforcement.

Welcome to the Team!

Sage Delong Emergency Manager

Sage is the new Umatilla County Emergency Manager. We are enjoying his professionalism and passion for helping people and look forward to working with him in the future.

Joe Albitre

On-Call Dispatcher

Deputy Albitre has years of experience as a career dispatcher in California. He has decided to check it out in the more rural area of Umatilla County. The location, population, and resources may be different, but the fundamentals of the job remain the same. We are excited to have someone with his experience join our team.

Join our team!

For information on how to

apply click here.

Derek Hiatt

Corrections Officer

Deputy Hiatt has experience as a corrections officer with both the Oregon Department of Corrections and the Malheur County Sheriff's Office.

Sterling Hall

Criminal Deputy

Deputy Hall comes to UCSO with 30 years of experience and has recently retired from the Oregon State Police. He has been our partner in law enforcement for years in Umatilla County and now he is wearing our uniform. He adds valuable experience and knowledge to our team.

Brady Skelton

Corrections Officer

Deputy Skelton is our newest hire. He will be attending DPSST Basic Corrections Academy in the near future. We welcome him to our team and look forward to all he will accomplish in his new career.

Stephan Abrahamson

Inmate Program Tech

(Jail Control Room)

Deputy Abrahamson has prior training as a first responder EMT and is fluent in both English and Spanish. We look forward to

Timothy Sundin

Corrections Officer

Deputy Sundin comes to UCSO with 23 years of experience with the Oregon Department of Corrections. Now our jail is benefiting from that experience.

Congratulations DPSST Graduates!

Aspen Corey - 911 Dispatcher

Aspen graduated on April 28th, 2023 from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards & Training (DPSST) Basic Telecommunications and Emergency Medical Dispatch Academy Classes.

Eddy Davis - Criminal Deputy

Deputy Davis graduated on May 12, 2023, from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards & Training (DPSST) Basic Police Academy Class #424. Davis previously worked as a certified Corrections Officer in the Umatilla County Jail before she was hired as a patrol deputy.

We are Hiring!

Photo from April 2023 in

support of dancer Breaeh Rios

UCSO is looking for people with a great heart for public service, a strong sense of integrity, work well under pressure, are great problem solvers, and can communicate effectively with a diverse population. These fast-paced, high-stress positions come with the reward of helping people in your community when they need it most. If you want a job that makes a difference and has new challenges every day then click here to apply. You can also sign up for job alerts.