PHOTO COURTESY OF OSP
The Columbia Basin team of Oregon State Fish and Wildlife officers were named Team of the Year.
The seven-member Columbia Basin team, supervised by Sgt. Tim Brown, is assigned to work the Hermiston, Pendleton, Heppner and John Day areas. Along with Brown, team members, with a combined 99 years of law enforcement experience, are:
• Senior Trooper Earl Connell
• Senior Trooper Dain Gardner
• Senior Trooper Brian Jewett
• Senior Trooper Mike Mayer
• Senior Trooper Marv Ritter
• Senior Trooper Greg Sherman
“The Columbia Basin Team has a vast and diverse area to cover including the Columbia River and mountain forests to desert environments, with a wide variety of species to protect while also providing professional rural law enforcement services,” said Captain Jeff Samuels. “This team is very capable and able to tackle any investigation through a great team effort and a passion for the job. I am very impressed at their level of teamwork, dedication, service to the public, and protection of natural resources.”
During 2013, the Columbia Basin Team had several notable cases pointed out by East Region Fish and Wildlife Division Lieutenant Don Wagner in nominating the team for special recognition.
“The Columbia Basin Team is perhaps one of the most well-rounded teams in the state and consistently seeks out and investigates complex criminal cases, demonstrating service that surpasses ordinary standards,” said Wagner.
A few of the highlights noted by Wagner include:
• An investigation initiated in late 2012 lasting over a year into a report of ongoing illegal hunting activities at a Northeast Oregon area ranch. The investigation alleges several individuals connected with the ranch conducted fee hunts associated with an illegal guide operations involving numerous wildlife violations and other associated crimes. The ongoing investigation involving 20 Fish and Wildlife troopers coordinated from all over the state may lead to over 200 counts of criminal and wildlife charges.
• Another ongoing investigation into suspected serial poaching involves a suspect believed to be hunting on a suspended hunting license and involved in several other crimes across multiple venues. The investigation to date has involved OSP troopers from all three divisions (Patrol, Criminal, and Fish and Wildlife) and currently leading to the seizure of more than 25 trophy deer and elk antlers, vehicles, firearms and other evidence.
• Mayer, was one of the three OSP troopers awarded the Medal of Valor and the Department’s Lifesaving Award for extraordinary actions and lifesaving efforts during the December 2012 multi-fatal tour bus crash along Interstate 84 east of Pendleton.
