For Immediate Release

Date: Oct. 15, 2004

Lane County Marine Officers Honored For Service

The Lane County Sheriff’s Marine Program has received several awards from the Oregon State Marine Board for service to Oregon’s boaters.

Dep. Jon Bock was honored as the Rookie of the Year for outstanding service in his first year as a marine deputy. In addition, Sgt. Byron Trapp was honored as runner-up Program Manager of the Year for his work in making the program more efficient and effective.

Deputy Paul Vitus received a special Life Saving award for work in preventing a tragedy. According to Marine Board Law Enforcement Program Representative Cole Hughes, a boater cited a television news story featuring Deputy Vitus as saving his life. The boater was trapped underwater in debris after his canoe capsized. Struggling for his life, he immediately recalled Vitus’ advise on how to free himself. It worked and the man survived, happily crediting Vitus with providing information that saved his life.

“Lane County has more boating facilities, more lakes and more miles of river than probably anyone else in the state,” said Marine Board Law Enforcement Program Manager Bill Rydblom. “They are challenged with difficult white-water rivers next to a large urban center, large reservoirs and even coastal estuaries. It’s a lot of area to cover. With officers like Jon Bock, Paul Vitus and supervisors like Sgt. Byron Trapp, they provide an effective and valuable service to Oregon’s boaters.”

Other awards announced during the meeting include: Top Seasonal Deputy, Seasonal Program to Brad Maesner, Deschutes County; Top Seasonal Deputy, Year-round Program to Dep. Jessica Harkin, Multnomah County; Trooper of the Year to Sr. Trooper Marshall Maher, NW District Oregon State Police; Award of Excellence to Sgt. Marc Heckathorn, Jefferson County; Special Award to Lt. Steve Lane, OSP NW Region Manager; Marine Investigation Award to Dep. Tom Turk, Jackson County; Certificate of Appreciation for theft and investigation support to Jackson County; Top Boating Under the Influence Enforcement Award to Dep. Jimmy Gyllenskog, Jackson County; Program Manager of the Year to Lt. Monte Reiser, Multnomah County; Most Improved Program to Multnomah County; Seasonal Program of the Year award to Polk County; Yearly Program of the Year award to Jackson County; Tom Rice Instructor Award to Dep. Ernie Fields, Josephine County.