UPDATE: Mr. Callaway Located Safe (Photo) - 01/22/26

UPDATED RELEASE 01/22/2025 9:15 PM

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - The Douglas County Sheriff's Office was able to locate Mr. Callaway at a family member's residence in the State of Missouri. He is safe and no longer considered a missing person. The Sheriff's Office would like to thank the community for their assistance and concern in locating Mr. Callaway. No further information or updates are expected. 

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ORIGINAL RELEASE 01/22/2025 2:19 PM

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is seeking public assistance in locating a missing Reedsport-area man who was last seen leaving an RV park earlier this month. 

George Curtis Callaway, age 70, of Reedsport, was reported missing to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, January 22, 2026. He was last seen on Thursday, January 15, 2026, when he departed the Salmon Harbor RV Park in Reedsport and turned northbound onto Highway 101. Callaway told family members he was traveling to Missouri to visit relatives. 

Callaway is described as a white male, standing 5'8" tall, weighing approximately 180 pounds, with blue eyes and a bald head. He is believed to be driving a 30-foot, white 1996 Coachmen RV with blue stripes, bearing Oregon license plate HD25929. 

Family members report that Callaway has memory issues and medical conditions that require medication. He has not contacted family or friends since his departure and has been unreachable by cell phone. An Oregon Missing Endangered Person Alert (MEPA) has been activated. 

The Sheriff's Office is asking anyone who may have seen Callaway or his vehicle, or who has information regarding his whereabouts, to contact the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at (541) 440-4471, referencing case number 26-0194.

Fatal Vehicle Crash - 01/16/26

DRAIN, Ore. - The Sheriff's Office responded to a fatal two-vehicle traffic crash on Elkhead Road during the early morning hours of January 14, 2026. 

Preliminary investigation indicates a 2001 Toyota RAV, driven by Donald Lawrence Brown, 89, of Drain, was traveling westbound on Elkhead Road when the vehicle drifted into the eastbound lane for reasons unknown. The Toyota collided with a 2025 Mazda four-door sedan driven by 72-year-old Patricia Hail Haley, also of Drain, who was traveling eastbound. 

Mr. Brown was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Haley sustained injuries and was transported by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center for treatment. 

There were no initial indications that intoxicants were a factor in the crash. The incident remains under investigation. 

The Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by North Douglas County Fire & EMS and the Douglas County MEdical Examiner's Office. 

Next of kin notification has been made. 

Public Meeting Notice: Dog Control Advisory Board - 01/15/26

ROSEBURG, Ore. - The Douglas County Dog Control Advisory Board will hold a meeting on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse, Room 216, located at 1036 SE Douglas Avenue, Roseburg, Oregon 97470.

The agenda meeting agenda can be located at: www.dcso.com/dogboard. 

To view the live stream or post-meeting recording, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/@douglascountyoregongov

In compliance with ORS 192.610 to 192.690, we will accommodate any member of the public who wishes to submit public comment related to specific agenda items. Members of the public who wish to comment can do so: (1) In person, (2) by submitting via email at kaylee.tucker@douglascountyor.gov or (3) by virtual format via Microsoft Teams Meeting ID: 231 251 615 228 (Passcode: md3oF6dW)

As part of public policy, Douglas County will attempt to provide public accessibility to services, programs, and activities. If accommodation is needed to participate at this meeting, please contact Kaylee Tucker (541) 440-4449 kaylee.tucker@douglascountyor.gov at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.

Sheriff's Announces Results Of Enhanced DUII Enforcement Campaign - 01/13/26

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office conducted enhanced DUII patrols during the holiday season which ran December 10, 2025, through January 1, 2026.
 

Utilizing grant dollars administered by the Oregon Department of Transportation, 3 deputies utilized a total of 19 hours of enhanced DUII patrol time on the roadways at various times during the enforcement period. During the course of the efforts, deputies made 2 DUII arrests and issued 4 Minor in Possession citations.
 

Deputies also took the following enforcement actions:
 

• 1 citation for Driving While Suspended
• 16 warnings for speeding
• 5 warnings for seat belt violations
• 21 warnings for other moving violations
• 2 warnings for distracted driving/cell phone use

According to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), pre-pandemic (2020) an average of 448 deaths and 1,739 serious injury crashes occurred on Oregon roadways. According to a June 2025 update by ODOT, post-pandemic numbers between 2021 and 2023 were alarming. Between the years 2021-2023, there were 1,789 deaths and 9,517 serious injuries reported. That is a 33% and 82% increase, respectively. On average, one person was killed in a drunk driving crash every 45 minutes in 2020. This is why the Sheriff’s Office is working together with NHTSA and OI to remind drivers that drunk driving is not only illegal, but also a matter of life and death. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

Douglas County Sheriff's Office Announces Staff Awards (Photo) - 01/01/26

ROSEBURG, Ore. - The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce several awards and recognitions presented during the month of December to staff members whose service, leadership, and actions exemplify the highest standards of public safety and professionalism. 

Lieutenant Kelley Bean was honored by the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association (OSSA) as Enforcement Commander of the Year. Lt. Bean has served the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office since 1998 and currently serves as the Investigations Lieutenant. In this role, he oversees major crimes investigations, medical examiner investigators, and administrative support functions. His leadership, attention to detail, and commitment to professional development have contributed to effective case management, strong collaboration with the District Attorney’s Office, and successful investigative outcomes. Lt. Bean’s career reflects consistent dedication to mentorship, training, and operational excellence. 

Deanna Stone, Civil Process Clerk with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, was awarded OSSA’s Civil Support Staff of the Year. As the agency’s sole civil clerk, Deanna plays a critical role in maintaining daily operations and public service. She routinely supports the Records Clerks and front office functions and demonstrated exceptional dedication during a period of reduced staffing by assuming additional responsibilities to ensure uninterrupted service. Additionally, she serves the community as a Douglas County Search and Rescue volunteer. Her professionalism, reliability, and commitment to teamwork exemplify the vital role support staff play in the success of the agency. 

In addition to the statewide OSSA awards, Sheriff John Hanlin presented Deputy Jake Littrell with a Lifesaving Award for his actions during a water rescue on November 22, 2025, at Tahkenitch Lake. Deputy Littrell responded to an overturned boat and located an individual still in the water, exhausted and without a life jacket. Acting quickly and without immediate assistance, he used a paddle boat to reach the individual, while in full duty gear, to bring them safely to shore. His decisive actions prevented a likely drowning and demonstrated courage, sound judgment, and dedication to preserving life. 

“These awards represent the professionalism, dedication, and service-oriented mindset of our staff,” said Sheriff John Hanlin. “Each of these individuals goes above and beyond in their roles, and we are proud to recognize their contributions to our agency and our community.” 

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office congratulates all award recipients and thanks its staff for their continued dedication to public safety.