Body of elderly Hermiston man found in underground sump near Helix
By Joe Hathaway on Friday, May 24th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UMATILLA COUNTY – (Release by Umatilla Co. Sheriff’s Office) The search for a missing elderly man ended in tragedy on May 23 after Search and Rescue members located his body in an underground sump at the elevator on Juniper Canyon Road outside of Helix.
The Sheriff’s Office received the initial report on May 22nd shortly after 9 p.m. Friends and family reported Larry RAWE (76) of Hermiston was missing. Larry ran his own pest control business. That morning he had left his residence with an expectation he would return home in the afternoon. When he did not return, his wife called friends and they began looking. They located his vehicle parked at the grain elevators off Juniper Canyon Rd near Fergies Rd, outside of Helix, Oregon. They located his bait bucket inside one of the grain elevators, but they were not able to find him. They noticed a closed trap door in the elevator that led to a basement sump filled with water, but still no sign of Mr. Rawe. They speculated that he might have fallen into the sump, but there was no evidence to indicate he had and the trap door was closed. Later in the afternoon, friends begin searching the surrounding area, including the use of a privately owned helicopter.
After still no results, they called the Sheriff’s Office at approximately 9:30 p.m. Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene. The patrol Sergeant on the scene requested assistance from East Umatilla Fire. They placed a man down onto a gangway in the sump area and probed into the water. Nothing was found. Local hospitals were contacted to see if anyone had come in injured.
Again, with no results, at approximately 10:30 pm. Umatilla County Search and Rescue (UMASAR) was activated. UMASAR set up an incident command and began a coordinated search of the area that lasted through the night. The search included ground searchers and a drone search (with infrared) of the area. Additional searchers again descended into the gangway of the sump area and used a grappling hook to sweep the water in the area, nothing was located. A K9 team (K9 Trea) also responded. An article belonging to Mr. Rawe was used to follow a scent trail.
In the morning, based on the overnight results, search coordinators determined that an attempt to drain the sump must be made. This was complicated because there was a steady stream of water entering the sump area due to an aquifer. Late in the afternoon, the body of Mr. Rawe was located and recovered. Pump operations had to be continually maintained, while searchers and fire units descended to the bottom of the sump for recovery.
This was a very sad and difficult outcome. Our thoughts and condolences are with the family during this difficult time. Thank you to all those involved in the search.
