Service beyond the uniform: Union County veteran honored for heroic rescue on I-84
By Tracy Christopher on Friday, February 27th, 2026 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER COUNTY — For Edward Tibbs, the instinct to protect and serve didn’t end when he took off his military uniform.
At the most recent United in Service, Investing in Futures Scholarship Banquet, the Union County resident and active VFW member was officially recognized for his “brave and selfless” actions during a life-threatening traffic incident on Interstate 84. Tibbs was presented with the Critical Incident Support-of-the-Year award, a distinction usually reserved for public safety agencies, but given to Tibbs for his extraordinary civilian intervention.
A Mission of Mercy in the Snow
The incident occurred on the evening of December 18, 2025. While traveling eastbound near milepost 344, Tibbs came upon a harrowing scene: a crashed vehicle was blocking the fast lane on a blind corner with no shoulder. The driver was standing in the roadway as snow fell, invisible to oncoming traffic.
Drawing on his background of service, Tibbs positioned his own vehicle to shield the stranded driver and stepped into the freezing conditions to provide manual traffic control as cars rounded the corner at high speeds. He then used a tow strap to pull the disabled car to safety before quietly leaving the scene.
“Edward risked his life to provide traffic control,” noted Billie-Jo Nickens, reading from the official Oregon State Police nomination during the ceremony. “This incident could have resulted in a secondary crash and would have been far more devastating if it was not for Edward’s brave and selfless act. He did not ask for anything in return and left the scene”.
Honoring Excellence: The 2025 Award Winners
Tibbs was honored alongside a prestigious group of first responders and community partners who demonstrated excellence throughout the year.
2025 United in Service Award Recipients:
| Agency | Award Title | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans of Foreign Wars | Critical Incident Support of the Year | Edward Tibbs |
| Oregon Dept. of Corrections | Manager of the Year | Lt. Kyle Robbins |
| Oregon Dept. of Corrections | Employee of the Year | Jim LaCrone |
| Oregon Dept. of Corrections | Correctional Officer of the Year | Officer Gabe Leal |
| Oregon Dept. of Corrections | Contractor of the Year | Marisa Fuzi (New Directions NW) |
| Oregon State Police | Dedication to Fish & Wildlife | Sr. Trooper Dakotah Keys |
| Oregon State Police | Greg Walker DUII Trooper of the Year | Trooper Tristan Sand |
| Oregon State Police | Traffic Safety Trooper of the Year | Trooper Will Mercado |
| Oregon State Police | Dedication to Duty | Trooper Trevor Freese |
| Oregon State Police | Administrative Support of the Year | Pam Smith |
| Baker City Police Dept. | Officer of the Year | Officer Mike Flynn |
| Baker City Police Dept. | Distinguished Volunteer of the Year | Marlene Rogers |
| Baker Co. Sheriff’s Office | Cornerstone Award | Ashley McClay |
| Powder River Rural FPD | Years of Service & Dedication | Steve Boles & Jan Boles |
| Baker Co. Child Advocacy | Community Partner of the Year | Chelsa Mitchell |
The Deadly Reality of the Roadside
The award highlights a growing concern for Oregon safety officials. Data from 2019–2023 reveals that roadside incidents are a persistent systemic risk, with rear-end collisions accounting for 45 major crashes in that period.
Nationally, approximately 24 first responders lose their lives on interstate shoulders annually. According to AAA, shoulder crashes account for 12% of all interstate traffic fatalities, or roughly 600 deaths per year.
A Lifetime of Service
As a Veteran and a highly active member of his local VFW, Tibbs’ actions that night reflect a career defined by looking out for others. The “United in Service, Invested in Futures” Committee noted that his background likely played a role in his calm, decisive response under pressure.
“The thing about prevention is that we will never know what was prevented that night because of your bravery,” Nickens told Tibbs. “We will never know whose lives you may have saved.”
The communities and agencies represented by the United in Service, Invested in Futures Committee, extend their deepest extend their deepest thanks to Mr. Tibbs and all those who commit to the safety of our communities and their residents.
