Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell Reports 50% Increase In Hiring; Applauds County Investments - 03/19/26

MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. (MCSO) – The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) increased its hiring by more than 50% in 2025 when compared to 2024.

Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell credited the success to county budget investments and modernized hiring practices during a briefing to the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday March 17, 2026.

In 2025, MCSO hired 114 employees. This marks the first time since 2022 that new hires exceeded separations.

This positive update comes at a time when Multnomah County’s public safety system is seeing increased demands. As law enforcement agencies throughout the county increase their public safety initiatives, jail bookings have increased. In February 2026, MCSO processed 1,721 standard jail bookings, up 22% from February 2025.

The increase in jail bookings places additional pressure on MCSO’s Corrections Facilities Division, which has faced persistent staffing shortfalls since 2021.

It generally takes six months to complete the hiring process for a MCSO corrections deputy. The process includes screening applicants for minimum qualifications, assessing the eligibility, conducting background checks and interviews, and completing psychological and physical evaluations.

“Our corrections division is central to a well-functioning public safety system,” Sheriff Morrisey O’Donnell said. “When it is not operating efficiently due to staffing shortages, it places immense strain on our law enforcement partners and impacts overall community safety.”

In briefing the Board of County Commissioners, the sheriff and MCSO executive staff highlighted MCSO’s Human Resources Unit as a foundational component of overall public safety.

“By breaking down every step of our hiring process and relying on the expertise of our staff, we have been able to focus our efforts on filling all vacancies rather than filling some at the expense of others,” said MCSO Deputy Chief of Staff Jenny Carver.

MCSO is now utilizing dashboards to track retirement eligibility, allowing MCSO to anticipate potential vacancies and detailed information about applicants, hires, and departures to inform its recruitment strategies.

In FY 2026, Multnomah County approved a budget modification for MCSO to stabilize funding for existing positions and expand the HR Unit to include the following:

• Adding two background investigators (total of 10). 
• Adding one recruiter (total of five).
• Adding one HR support staff member (total of four).

“A multi-year staffing crisis cannot be reversed in a single year," Sheriff Morrisey O’Donnell said. "However, the progress we have made highlights the dedication of our HR team and the support of the county. MCSO is committed to continuing this momentum to help ensure a safe and well-functioning public safety system."

MCSO Staffing Highlights:

• 50% increase in overall hiring in 2025 when compared to 2024.
• MCSO achieved a net gain of 32 staff members in 2025.
• MCSO hired 34 corrections deputies out of 909 applicants in 2025.

MCSO Vacancy Rate:

• Agency-wide vacancy rate now stands at approximately 7%.
• Sworn vacancy rate now stands at approximately 7%, an improvement from approximately 9% in 2025.
• Non-sworn vacancy rate now stands at approximately 7%, an improvement from 12% in 2025. 

To learn more about job openings at the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, visit https://www.mcso.us/careers.

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TriMet Transit Police, Metropolitan Explosive Disposal Unit Provide Community Update On Suspicious Object At Interstate/Rose Quarter MAX Station - 03/17/26

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MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. (MCSO) – TriMet Transit Police and the Metropolitan Explosive Disposal Unit have determined a suspicious object found in possession of a 42-year-old man did not contain any energized or explosive materials.

At approximately 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Transit Police and deputies with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office – the lead agency for Transit Police - were conducting proactive patrols around the Moda Center in North Portland.

While on board a MAX train, deputies observed and contacted a man for a TriMet administrative rule violation.

The 42-year-old man, later identified as Jeremy Stavinoha, initially cooperated with MCSO deputies and exited the train at the Interstate/Rose Quarter MAX Station. During the investigation, Stavinoha tried leaving and was stopped.

It is alleged that deputies found Stavinoha in possession of a cylinder-like object. Stavinoha also made a statement to deputies that elevated the public safety risk assessment.

Based on the totality of the circumstances, including the object’s appearance, construction and location to critical infrastructure, MCSO and PPB established a safe zone and requested assistance from the Metropolitan Explosive Disposal Unit (MEDU).

A MCSO K-9 deputy assigned to Transit Police as an explosive detection team also responded.

During the on-scene investigation, MEDU used X-ray technology to identify metal spheres inside the approximately eight-inch tube.

MEDU secured the object and completed their render-safe procedures.

MEDU has determined the object contained several steel balls but no energized or explosive materials.

The coordinated efforts of responding law enforcement helped to ensure a safe and controlled environment. Each step taken during this investigation was guided by training and a shared commitment to public safety.

Deputies have booked Stavinoha into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of first-degree disorderly conduct, interfering with public transportation, resisting arrest and possession of a hoax destructive device.

Law enforcement cleared the scene around 10:15 a.m. on March 17, 2026, and TriMet resumed regular bus and MAX service through the area.

MCSO thanks PPB, MEDU, and TriMet for their assistance with this investigation.

MEDU is a team of law enforcement officers who respond to explosive-related incidents in the Portland metropolitan area. MEDU members are trained to deal with chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats.

About Transit Police:  

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) leads the multi-agency TriMet Transit Police Division. Transit Police officers and deputies help to ensure a safe transit system by riding trains and buses and visiting platforms and stations. They respond to calls for service and investigate crimes that occur on TriMet property in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties.

Current agencies comprising Transit Police include MCSO, the Portland Police Bureau, Port of Portland Police Department, Beaverton Police Department, Hillsboro Police Department, Lake Oswego Police Department, and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.

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MCSO Search And Rescue Team Safely Locates Missing Hikers In Columbia River Gorge - 03/11/26

MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. (MCSO) -- The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (MCSOSAR) team successfully rescued two missing hikers in the Columbia River Gorge overnight following a lengthy effort through heavy rain and high winds.

This incident began around 12 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, when the two hikers set out from the Horsetail Falls parking lot.

Around 7:45 p.m., the City of Portland’s Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) received a 9-1-1 call from one of the hikers who reported becoming lost. Deputies responded and found the hikers’ vehicle.

SAR coordinators successfully contacted the hikers by phone and BOEC dispatchers mapped their approximate location. Despite the deteriorating weather conditions, ground teams - including the MCSO Green Hornets and SAR volunteers - deployed into the field.

Rescue teams reached the two hikers at 11:56 p.m.

Search teams then began the slow process of escorting the hikers back through the difficult terrain. The group arrived safely at the Horsetail Falls parking lot at 4:58 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

Although the hikers were soaked and cold due to the inclement weather, no injuries were reported. Once they had warmed up, teams on-site evaluated that the hikers were able to drive themselves home.

This successful mission was a collaborative effort involving two MCSO sergeants, four deputies and 20 dedicated search and rescue volunteers.

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind all hikers to be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions in the Gorge, especially during the spring months.

Always carry the "Ten Essentials," including extra layers of clothing and reliable light source or flashlight.

MCSO’s Green Hornets Team is a small team of deputies, who possess advanced search and rescue skills. When a missing, overdue or lost hiker is reported, any working, available deputies assigned to the Green Hornets may respond to perform a hasty trail search. They focus on rapid assessment and urgent medical care, rather than slower, intensive grid searches.

The team supports the MCSO Search and Rescue team. Members maintain advanced skills in navigation, emergency response, and technical rescue techniques to assist in critical incidents where time and conditions pose severe challenges.

No photos from the search and rescue are available.

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Suspected Impaired Driver Crashes Into MCSO Patrol SUV During DUII Memorial Mission - 03/01/26

MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. (MCSO) – A 20-year-old woman is accused of driving while impaired and crashing into a Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office deputy’s patrol SUV.

The crash occurred during a DUII patrol mission conducted in honor of two MCSO reserve deputies who were killed in 1993 by an impaired driver.

At approximately 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, a vehicle hit the deputy’s patrol SUV at Northeast 162^nd Avenue and Northeast Fremont Street in Portland.

Fortunately, the crash did not injure the deputy or the passenger.

The crash happened several hours into a high‑visibility DUII patrol mission conducted in partnership with Oregon State Police, Gresham Police, and TriMet Transit Police.

On February 26, 1993, MCSO Reserve Sergeant Scott Collins and Reserve Deputy Mark Whitehead died in the line of duty while patrolling Interstate 84 near Fairview.

An impaired driver, Ervin Vandervoort, crossed the median at an estimated speed of more than 100 miles per hour and collided with the patrol car carrying the two reserve deputies. All three died.

As reserve members, Collins and Whitehead served alongside full-time MCSO deputies without pay, dedicating their time, professionalism, and personal sacrifice to protecting the community.

Reserve Sergeant Collins, 34, had served five years as a reserve deputy, and Deputy Whitehead, 26, had served for approximately 18 months.

OSP responded to the crash on Northeast Fremont Street as the primary investigative agency.

Troopers booked 20-year-old Luz Solimar Chavez-Castillo into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants, two counts of reckless endangerment, and one count of reckless driving.

Before the mission began, family members of Reserve Sergeant Collins and Deputy Whitehead met with law enforcement to share memories and express their appreciation. The families said the loss of their loved ones continues to have a profound impact, but that Saturday’s patrol mission ensures both deputies are honored and never forgotten.

MCSO acknowledges Oregon State Police, Gresham Police, and TriMet Transit Police Department for their assistance and partnership.

Official statistics from the operation are still being compiled.

Specific questions about the crash involving Chavez-Castillo should be referred to Oregon State Police.

MCSO is releasing several images from Saturday.

Media may use these photos with credit to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.

Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Issues Amber Alert - 02/25/26

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Note: This story has been updated to reflect that both children and their mother have been safely located, and the children's names and photos have been removed to protect their identities now that public assistance is no longer required.

MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. (MCSO) – Tonight, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) issued an AMBER Alert for two missing and endangered children who are believed to be with their non-custodial mother.

Based on preliminary information, in December 2025, a Multnomah County judge granted temporary custody of eight-year-old [Name Removed] and seven-year-old [Name Removed] to their father. The court ordered supervised parenting‑time conditions for the mother, 37-year-old Ann Marie Quarles. 

On February 13, 2026, a family member dropped off both children with Quarles, but she did not return the children as expected. On February 20, 2026, the court determined Quarles to be in violation of the custody order and directed law enforcement to assist the father in recovering the children.

On February 24, 2026, MCSO went to Quarles’ apartment, located in the 2600-block of Southeast 145^th Avenue in Portland, but neither she nor the two girls were there. 

During the investigation, deputies were told Quarles may have left over the weekend with the girls. Due to the circumstances, MCSO law enforcement deputies requested assistance from MCSO detectives.

Deputies reached Quarles by phone on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, who told them she was in Moses Lake, Washington but refused to give her exact location. Deputies instructed her to contact local law enforcement, but she refused. Quarles also told deputies that she did not intend to comply with the court’s order. 

Detectives believe [Name Removed] and [Name Removed] may be in danger.

Although Quarles told deputies she is in Washington, that information has not been confirmed. There could be a chance she and the two girls are in Portland. 

[Name Removed] and her sister, [Name Removed], are both white females, approximately 4 feet tall and weighing between 40 and 45 pounds. They each have dark blonde hair and blue eyes.

Community members are urged to call 9-1-1 if they see [Name Removed] and [Name Removed] or Quarles. 

AMBER Alerts are issued to rapidly disseminate vital information to the public and partner agencies to assist in the safe recovery of children believed to have been abducted and are in imminent danger. 

An AMBER Alert is issued only when certain criteria are met, including:

• Reasonable belief that an abduction has occurred.
• The missing child is 17 years of age or younger and believed to be in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death.
• Sufficient descriptive information is available about the child, suspect, and/or suspect’s vehicle that can assist in the child’s recovery.
• Required information has been entered into national law enforcement information systems. 

[Photo Removed]

(Above photo: [Name Removed])

[Photo Removed]

(Above photo: [Name Removed]) 

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Two Missing Children Found Unharmed - 02/25/26

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MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. (MCSO) – The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is providing an update on a case that involved two missing and endangered children.

At approximately 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday February 25, 2026, MCSO deputies safely located 37-year-old Ann Marie Quarles and her two children in the 17000-block of Northeast Sacramento Street in Gresham.

Neither child appeared injured.

Detectives will complete their investigation and forward the case to the district attorney’s office.

MCSO initiated the AMBER Alert process based on the information available at the time and the concern that both children were at risk after being taken by their non‑custodial mother in violation of a court order.

After the alert was requested, Oregon State Police (OSP), which manages Oregon’s AMBER Alert system, informed MCSO that the circumstances did not meet the criteria required for issuance of an AMBER Alert.

MCSO appreciates the community members and media who helped share the information in this case. In situations such as this, community involvement plays an important role in supporting investigations and generating tips that may assist in locating those involved.

At this time, no further information is available for release.

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