Baker County Law Enforcement Recognition Banquet Honors Twenty-One Members

By on Tuesday, February 14th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

BAKER COUNTY – (Information from the Baker County Law Enforcement Recognition Banquet) Members of law enforcement, The Oregon Department of transportation, local businesses and local community members organized and hosted the Baker County Law Enforcement Recognition Banquet last Thursday. In total, twenty-one awards were given to members of local and state law enforcement, along with one special recognition. The following is a full list of awards, along with some words on each recipient, provided by banquet organizers:

“Sponsors and Donors:  

Baker City Police Department, Baker County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Campfire Creations, Elkhorn Media Group, The Oregon Department of Transportation – Transportation Safety Office, Campfire Creations, CW Designs, Baker High School, and Patriot Men Co.  A generous donation was also made in the name of Greg Walker for this event.

The evening began with a 2022 Year in Review Presentation highlighting the individual accomplishments of each of the four agencies recognized:  Baker County Sheriff’s Office, Baker City Police Department, the Oregon State Police, and the Powder Rive Correctional Facility.  

Award Recipients:  

2022 Dispatcher of the Year

  • Mandy Wirth!  Mandy has been with the SO for nearly 17 years!  In the nomination letter, it was noted that Mandy’s care for the contacts that she has with citizens, co-workers, and other agencies is reflected in her responses and actions.  
  • Meagan Colton!  Those who nominated Meagan said that she has “energy to the end of time!”  She is a bright spot in the dispatch center with her fierce attention to any and all situations, her proactive approach to solving problems, and her overall dedication to the discipline.  She also took on the bulk of the detailed planning for this banquet.  
  • Melissa Brown!  The nomination letter for Melissa was glowing in praise of her work.  Her dedication and drive for accuracy and success has made her a valuable asset to the team.  A co-worker, who admittingly “doesn’t give praise lightly”, shared that Melissa was able to make CPR/First Aid fun and also commented on the quality of individual and instructor that he saw in Melissa.  

Traffic Safety Deputy of the Year

  • Bo Hansen!  Bo was nominated for this award by three different colleagues and peers!  A central theme of each letter was recognition of his enthusiasm and eagerness around traffic safety by increasing patrol in specific identified areas, and that his extra efforts have undoubtedly made a huge difference in the communities he serves.  In 2022, he conducted approximately 154 traffic stops!  Thank you Deputy Hansen!

Traffic Safety Trooper of the Year  

  • Trooper Cody Bennett!  Trooper Bennett was hired by OSP in March of 2022, completing his academy training and reported to Baker City in May.  In just seven months, his focus on traffic safety is more than impressive, conducting 467 traffic stops where he identified 509 total violations, while also handling an additional 356 reportable events assigned to him including 2 DUIIs and 22 crashes.  

Parole and Probation Deputy of the Year

  • Deputy Debbi Wray!  Deputy Wray has played an instrumental role in the newly established Mental Health Court Program and with her guidance, many clients have been afforded the opportunity to participate in this program in an effort to ensure positive changes while navigating the criminal justice system and receiving treatment for their behavioral health challenges.  Deputy Wray is able to assist these clients with their needs, while still ensuring that they are held accountable.  

Corrections Officer of the Year

  • Officer Charlie Brinton has been with the Department of Corrections for 25 years serving a variety of roles including housing unit officer, work crew supervisor, fire crew supervisor, range master, and has been very involved with the union at Powder River Correctional Facility.  Officer Brinton signed up for the Amend program at the facility.  As part of the program, Officer Brinton has become a “Contact Officer” where he meets one on one with assigned Adults in Custody to help the reach their goals of becoming better people, parents, and members of society once released.  

Corrections Deputy of the Year

  • Deputy Tonya Murphy!  Even though Deputy Murphy has only been with the Sheriff’s Office for less than a year, she has made a huge contribution to the team.  She never fails to show up with a good attitude and kind words, never failing to help whenever she can.  Between being short staffed, illnesses, and unforeseen issues in the jail, she is always willing to help and covers whenever there is a need.  

Corrections Deputy of the Year 

  • Corporal Brandon Mastrude!  Every two years the Sheriff’s Office takes part in the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association Jail Inspection.  This is an intense inspection with 314 individual standards with each having several sub-categories that must be in compliance.  With Corporal Mastrude’s assistance and attention to detail the BC Jail has received a 100% on this inspection on the last two inspection cycles!  It’s also worth noting that before these two 100%s, the jail had never achieved that score and a lot of this success is attributed to his efforts!  

Instructor of the Year 

  • Trooper Dakotah Keys!  Trooper Keys is an instructor for the Oregon State Police in four different disciplines including defensive tactics, taser instruction, patrol tactics, and verbal judo.  In the last year, Trooper Keys has worked to promote and coordinate interagency trainings in Baker County.  His efforts have helped to improve officer skills and to foster positive relationships throughout the different agencies in the county.  

2022 Live Saving Award  

  • Deputy Chad Mills, Deputy Talon Colton, and Deputy Bo Hansen!  These three Deputies went above and beyond in the administration of CPR, driving the ambulance to the hospital and continuing CPR once arriving at the hospital.  It was shared that “hospital staff appreciated their hands doing compressions and want them to know that their actions absolutely saved the patient’s life.”  
  • Officer Maja Lefever and Lt. Shaun Travis!  Officer Lefever responded to a report that an Adult in Custody had entered the restroom and was committing self harm.  She immediately responded to find the AIC laying on the floor with significant lacerations and blood loss.  She made an immediate decision to direct those around her and then worked to provide lifesaving measures until help could arrive.  Lt. Travis locked down the institution, responded to the incident, and directed staff to different responsibilities.  Once EMS had arrived, he changed positions with Officer Lefever and continued to apply direct pressure to the lacerations until the EMS team could relieve him.  Both acted calm under pressure as they worked through this highly stressful situation.  

Our next two awards have been named in memory of Greg Walker.  This man had an unconquerable spirit and work ethic, and who fiercely and bravely fought cancer three times.  First diagnosed in 2001, it returned in 2010 and one final time in 2015.  Greg Walker was one of those people you meet, occasionally in life, where their internal flame burns bright.  Greg Walker had a warrior spirit, a strong sense of right and wrong, and a passion for arresting impaired drivers.  He was loyal friend and devoted to his family.  

Greg Walker DUII Enforcement Deputy of the Year

  • Deputy Talon Colton!  Deputy Colton had the highest number of DUII arrests in Baker County in 2022 with 23 arrests and undoubtedly saved lives by removing impaired drivers from Baker County roadways.  He pursued and excelled at the Drug Recognition Academy and earned certification as a Drug Recognition Expert or DRE.  Deputy Colton was nominated by four different people for this award which should also be mentioned.  

Greg Walker DUII Enforcement Trooper of the Year 

  • Trooper Terry Simpson!  Trooper Simpson has displayed a dedicated focus on traffic safety, crash investigations, and DUII.  He has shown a pro-active interest in DUII enforcement with 10 DUII arrests.  He consistently stays committed to the difficult tasks and willingly works additional hours to keep the roads safe.  

DRE RECOGNITION

Sergeant Wayne Chastain with the Baker City Police Department just retired from his role as a Drug Recognition Expert in August of 2022 after 20 years as a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and 16 years as a DRE Instructor.  Congratulations on his retirement and thank you for his years of service in this important role.  This retirement of course, leaves Deputy Talon Colton from the Baker County Sheriff’s Office as the only certified DRE in the county.  Thank you for taking on this important role for Baker County, it is truly appreciated.  For context, a Drug Recognition Expert is a police officer trained to recognize impairment in drivers who are under the influence of drugs other than, or in addition to, alcohol.  To become a DRE, it takes two weeks of school and then one week of certifications training with an eight-hour comprehensive final exam.  Once certified, evaluations conducted on drivers involve a thorough 12 step process where the DRE can determine impairment, if the impairment is due to an injury, illness or other medical complication, or is it drug-related? If the impairment is due to drugs, then the DRE works to determine the category or combination of categories of drugs that is the most likely source of the impairment.  

Deputy of the Year Dedication to Duty 

  • Deputy Gabe Maldonado!  In this last year Deputy Maldonado took on a new challenge as a Community Service Deputy for the Sheriff’s Office.  With very little oversight, he has quickly built relationships in all Baker County Schools, creating positive relationships with youth and teachers.  A fellow law enforcement officer sent an email recently regarding Deputy Maldonado noting that it is clear at school and community functions that parents and students know him and approach him often.  He takes time on and off duty to talk to people and build those relationships daily.  His commitment to our community is appreciated by so many!  
  • Deputy Chad Mills!  Deputy Mills is highly respected across the board.  A colleague with the Police Department rated Deputy Mills an 11 out of 10 and he knows that no matter what is going on, Deputy Mills is always willing to come assist.  When he’s in route, others can breathe easy.  Deputy Mills runs the reserve deputy program and is an excellent trainer.  He has conducted 62 traffic stops, had 10 DUII arrests, pulled 92 cases and responded to 566 calls for service in 2022.  Deputy Mills received three nominations for this award and a central theme of all of the letters is his willingness to lend a hand, offering advice, and teaching his co-workers.
  • Sgt. Eric Colton!  Sgt. Colton is a dedicated member of the team who always makes sure that the reporting party is heard and that they know they are valued.  He emphasizes the importance of serving and building a strong relationship with the community.  He listens, he responds, and he cares.  

Trooper of the Year Dedication to Duty 

  • Trooper Cody Bennet!  Trooper Bennett’s work production accounts for 22.05% of the workload for the OSP Baker City Office.  In 2022, he responded to 2 unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, 25 agency assists, 107 disabled motorist assistance, 69 driving complaints, 31 road hazards removed, and 3 warrants cleared.  
  • Trooper Terry Simpson!  Trooper Simpson’s work production accounts for 16.47% of the workload for the OSP BC Office.  He responded to 23 crashes and had a total of 13 arrests.  He also responded to 62 agency assists, 210 disabled motorist assistance, 45 driving complaints, 34 road hazards removed and three warrants cleared.  
  • Trooper Dakotah Keys!  Trooper Key’s work production accounts for 15.23% of the patrol workload for the OSP BC Office.  In 2022, he conducted 112 traffic stops with 197 violations while also handling 205 reportable events assigned to him.  Of those events, 5 were DUIIs, 2 were crashes, and 19 were arrests.  As a fish and wildlife trooper, he has been very active in many level of LE and members of the community frequently comment positively about his professionalism and friendly personality.  

2022 Service to Community Award 

  • Phoebe Wachtel with the Baker City Police Department!  There isn’t much that Phoebe doesn’t do!  She is a certified car seat technician and runs the car seat program for the county, she works with the local Rotary Club to fund the helmet program for the city and fits bike helmets for kids, she coordinates Community Night Out, participates in a variety of bike and pedestrian safety training with head start classes and schools in the community, she fills in wherever and whenever she is needed.  She has an acute attention to detail and a huge heart; quietly giving and supporting the officers at the Police Department, and her community.  

Banquet Planning Committee 

  • Sheriff Travis Ash, Patrol Sergeant Clay Stevens, Meagan Colton, Phoebe Wachtel, and Billie-Jo Nickens 

Elkhorn Media Group