Gilliam County Sheriff’s deputy report describes Rowan’s arrest
By Terry Murry on Thursday, April 30th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
GILLIAM COUNTY – Elkhorn Media Group has obtained the deputy report which was part of court records in the arrest of Umatilla County Sheriff Terry Rowan in May 2025.
The 19-page document (included in full below) details the stop of the sheriff after motorists called in reports of an erratic driver in a white pickup truck swerving and driving at a high speed. Responding law enforcement also witnessed erratic driving. One such report said the vehicle was traveling at 91 miles per hour while it was driving on Highway 97 in the middle of both eastbound lanes. Rowan was eventually pulled over on Interstate 84.
The report also reflects that Rowan told law enforcement he had not consumed alcohol, but had hurt his back while playing golf. His blood alcohol content measured 0.19 according to Gilliam County Sheriff Gary Bettencourt. The sheriff is a friend of Rowan’s and gave him a ride home to Hermiston after he was charged.
Rowan was charged with two crimes. The reckless driving charge was dismissed after he completed court-ordered diversion. The driving under the influence of intoxicants charge is still pending until he satisfies the court next month that he has completed diversion as agreed.
The Oregon Department of Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) opened an investigation into the arrest on May 30, 2025. At that time, Rowan was a member of the DPSST Board of Directors. At their request, he stepped down. DPSST has not responded to Elkhorn Media Group’s inquiries as to the status of that investigation. However, they have indicated to other interested parties that they generally hold off on their own investigation until the charges are dealt with in a court of law. In Rowan’s case, that should be next month.
Below is the PDF of the Deputy Report regarding Rowan’s arrest.
