GILLIAM COUNTY, Ore.- Umatilla County Sheriff Terry Rowan was cited on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) on May 16.
A Gilliam County Sheriff’s Deputy pulled Sheriff Rowan over in an eastbound lane of I-84 around 7:08 p.m.
After failing a field sobriety test, Sheriff Rowan was transported to the GCSO in Arlington, where he provided a breath sample that registered 0.19, according to a GCSO press release.
Sheriff Rowan was later released to a third party and issued the following statement regarding the incident on May 18:
“I want to sincerely apologize to the people who elected me and place their trust in my leadership,” Rowan said in the statement. “I take full responsibility for the situation surrounding my recent arrest for DUII (driving under the influence of intoxicants) and understand the seriousness of the matter.”
“While I will not discuss the details as the legal process unfolds, I am fully cooperating with the authorities and will comply with all applicable laws and guidelines,” Roman continued in the statement. “I’ve been navigating some personal challenges, but I know that does not excuse the impact this has had on my constituents and the community. I am committed to learning from this experience, rebuilding trust, and accepting all responsibility for my poor decision and actions and being fully transparent as the process moves forward.”
Originally from Oklahoma, Sheriff Rowan has lived in Oregon and worked in law enforcement since 1989. He was elected Umatilla County Sheriff in 2013.
