Clatsop Co. Sheriff's Office
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News Release
Water Rescue 3
Water Rescue 3
Water Rescue (Photo) - 06/22/18

On June 21st 2018, day shift deputies were dispatched to the area of Sunset Beach for a report of an individual attempting to take his own life in the Pacific Ocean. 

Sr Deputy Townsend, Detective Walker, Deputy Shepherd, Deputy Libertad and Sergeant Hoover responded quickly to the scene.

Deputy Shepherd tried unsuccessfully to make contact with the subject and began contacting other resources, including the Coast Guard.  

Initially Sr Deputy Townsend offered to swim after the subject however another plan was eventually formulated for maximum safety of all involved.

Detective Walker and Deputy Libertad eventually made voice contact with the subject and created enough of a rapport to nearly talk the subject out of the water.  Even though they were ultimately unsuccessful in getting the subject to come out of the water, they were successful in removing the bag full of weights the subject had around his body.

The despondent subject resisted turned and walked back into the surf, in an apparent attempt to drown himself.  A short time later, the Coast Guard helicopter, requested by Deputy Shepherd, arrived on scene to assist.

The Coast Guard pilots showed incredible skill by hovering the helo and using the helicopter rotor wash to dissuade the subject from going further into the ocean. The aircrew then dropped a rescue swimmer, who also kept the subject from walking further out.

Detective Walker walked out into the surf, putting himself at risk, to assist the rescue swimmer in talking the man into walking back to safety.

When the subject realized Deputies were not going to let him complete his act of suicide, he surrendered to Detective Walker.  Once the man was on the beach, Deputy Libertad did an excellent job of continued de-escalation and eventually the subject volunteered to go to the hospital for a mental evaluation.  The incident was brought to a safe conclusion without any force being used.

The amount of dedication, courage and compassion these Deputies showed goes above and beyond and as Sheriff I am extremely proud of their selfless courage and commitment to the safety of others no matter who they are or what issues they may have.

Sheriff Tom

 

Attached Media Files: Water Rescue 3 , Water Rescue 2 , Water Rescue 1
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