2016 Oregon State Police Fish And Wildlife Division - Team Of The Year: Mid-Columbia Team (Photo) -07/18/17
The Oregon State Police (OSP), Mid-Columbia Fish and Wildlife Team (The Dalles) was recently awarded with the OSP Fish and Wildlife Division Team of the Year award for 2016 accomplishments. The Mid-Columbia Team consists of highly motivated, dedicated and tenacious troopers who enforce fish and wildlife laws and protect Oregon's natural resources, citizens and visitors in five counties; Hood River, Gilliam, Sherman, Wasco and Wheeler. Together, the Mid-Columbia Team proved that through perseverance, dedication and quality investigations their collaborative work enabled them to successfully hold person(s) accountable for the following cases during 2016: Team members initiated an ongoing multi-state major serial poaching investigation where several individuals unlawfully killed up to 30 animals throughout several counties in Oregon and up to 50 animals throughout several counties in Washington. Troopers are continuing to work closely with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife sharing information and coordinating conclusion of this investigation. A team member investigated a serious boat collision occurring in the Columbia River between two boats which caused serious injury to several occupants. The investigation resulted in a guilty plea by one boat operator for BUII, two counts of Assault IV and reckless boating. Team members responded to a report of the possible poaching of bighorn sheep along Interstate 84 in Gilliam County. The suspects were located, identified, arrested and lodged in jail after two bighorn sheep were located with their heads removed and placed in garbage bags. Upon a thorough investigation, the hard work of the troopers led to the successful prosecution of the two suspects. They conducted several boat patrols during the fall commercial fishing season, making several arrests and seizures of fish and gill nets used while fishing illegally; primarily by unlawful drift netting through river mouth sanctuaries. Team members also worked closely with Patrol Division Troopers, assisting with traffic crashes and other calls for service. Additionally, they work well with other local and county law enforcement partners within five counties to provide the best service to the citizens of Oregon. In addition to their normal Fish and Wildlife Division duties and activities, the Mid-Columbia Team members performed an array of other assignments ranging from being members of, or instructors in various fields including the Oregon State Police Critical Incident Response Team providing support to law enforcement officers who have been involved in critical incidents, to instructing recruit troopers in the enforcement of fish and wildlife laws, as well as, providing quality instruction to other Department members in firearms training, defensive tactics and boat operations to name a few. The Mid-Columbia Fish and Wildlife Team is commended for a job well done and for their commitment to protecting people, property and Oregon's natural resources. Photo: Pictured from left to right; Back row -- Senior Trooper Swede Pearson, Senior Trooper Justin Frazier, Sergeant Les Kipper. Front Row -- Senior Trooper Mark Jubitz, Senior Trooper Brent Ocheskey, Trooper Jason Walters and Senior Trooper Thad Routson. Not present: Senior Trooper Craig Gunderson.