BEND, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) employees and a citizen were presented with awards for outstanding service to the community at the 2018 Oregon State Sheriff’s Association (OSSA) conference on December 5, 2018. The recipients include two detectives, two deputies, and a local river guide.
An OSSA committee chose the winners from a pool of state-wide nominees. The following people were nominated by JCSO peers or supervisors for recognition during the annual awards ceremony:
Detective Steven Bohn is assigned to the JCSO Special Victims Unit, investigating crimes including child abuse, sexual assault, and elder abuse. Last year, Detective Bohn investigated 150 cases, showing an unwavering dedication to seek justice for the most vulnerable citizens in our community. In a nomination letter, Captain Tim Snaith said Detective Bohn’s “work ethic provides inspiration for others and sheds a positive light on the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.” Detective Bohn has previously earned recognition from the Rogue Valley Coalition of Child Abuse and Prevention, and as a Jackson County Employee of the Month.
Detective Timothy Pike was recognized for his competence and compassion as a long-time investigator for the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office. Eighteen of Detective Pike’s 23 years with JCSO have been spent as a death investigator. His position requires him to coordinate important information with multiple agencies while keeping in touch with friends and family members who have lost a loved one. Detective Pike shares his vast knowledge and experience by providing death investigation training to JCSO deputies and other law enforcement officers. He is a unique and resilient person whose diligence benefits many people in our community.
On May 11, 2018, Deputy Cody Fuhrman and Steven Sagert saved the life of an inmate who attempted suicide. The inmate was being escorted to a new cell when he dove head-first through a safety railing on the upper level. Deputy Fuhrman caught the inmate’s leg as he dangled over the edge. Deputy Sagert ran upstairs to help. The deputies were able to pull the inmate back to safety, despite the his active resistance. Following the incident, the inmate received medical and mental health treatment at the jail.
On August 5, 2018, a couple rafting the Rogue River found themselves in a life-threatening situation downstream of Dodge Bridge. One of their catamaran-style rafts capsized when the current forced the operator into trees along the bank. She was wearing a life jacket, but was left clinging to branches, trapped by the force of the river current. Her husband was unable to free her from the tree, but he helped to keep her head above water. About ten minutes later, a jet boat piloted by Jon Geyer, an Oregon Guide, came by. Geyer immediately noticed the couple was in trouble. He beached his boat, which carried about ten passengers on a fishing trip, and retrieved emergency gear. Guyer threw a tethered life ring to the woman. As her husband pulled branches apart to allow her to float away, Geyer guided her out into the current and pulled her to safety. If not for the actions of her husband and Mr. Geyer, the boater may have lost her life that day.
For more information about the OSSA awards and other programs, visit https://oregonsheriffs.org/ .
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