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| Trooper, Deputy Receive Lifesaving Awards for Rescuing Missing Woman in Baker County | ||
| 12/17/2007 | ||
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Lieutenant Gregg Hastings Public Information Officer Office: (503) 731-3020 ext. 247 Photograph Source: Oregon State Police - Left to Right: Baker Co. Sheriff Mitch Southwick, Deputy Travis Ash, Supt. McLain, and Sr. Tpr. Chris Hawkins The persistence of a Baker County Sheriff's Deputy and an Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Trooper were recognized today when both received the Department's "Harold R. Berg Lifesaving Award" for the efforts in finding a missing Sandy, Oregon woman last summer in the Wallowa Mountains. Today's presentation held in Baker County was a first as Superintendent Timothy McLain, joined by Baker County Sheriff' Mitch Southwick, gave the award not only to an OSP trooper but also to a non-OSP officer.  In late August, early September Doris Anderson, age 76, became separate from her husband while they attempted to walk out of the Eagle Creek area of the Wallowa Mountains in Baker County after their vehicle got stuck on a Forest Service Road. Her husband was picked up by hunters and they returned to the stuck vehicle to find her but she was not there. She was reported missing to Baker County Sheriff's Office that day and was the subject of an extensive search by Baker County Search & Rescue for several days. On September 6, 2007, Baker County Deputy TRAVIS ASH, who was assigned to the missing person investigation, decided to make a final return to the area to locate Doris Anderson. Deputy ASH contacted OSP Senior Trooper CHRIS HAWKINS at his residence that morning asking for help. They began their search, looking for signs of birds in the area that might indicate the presence of a body. Hearing but not seeing bird activity, they walked toward the bottom of the creek drainage and found her alive, lying in the brush. Additional Search & Rescue and medical personnel responded to remove her from the area where she mostly likely would have died if not found by Deputy ASH and Senior Trooper HAWKINS. Anderson was transported to an area hospital and has since recovered and returned to her family. "Without their investigative skills and interagency teamwork Doris Anderson would most certainly have perished," Superintendent McLain said. "The dedication, perseverance, and investigative effort by both of you are a credit to each Department." Baker County Sheriff Mitch Southwick thanked the officers and many volunteers for their help. "I would like to thank again all of the volunteers who assisted with this search as well as the US Forest Service who sent fire crews to the scene for 4 days to assist. I don't think you could ever find two more dedicated officers anywhere than the two standing before you. The citizens of Baker County should feel fortunate that we have them here," Southwick said. The "Harold R. Berg Lifesaving Award" is named after Lieutenant Harold R. Berg who died on May 10, 1975. Lieutenant Berg, while off duty, was contacted by a citizen who informed him that a boy scout was missing at Cape Lookout State Park. While attempting to search a cave near the water's edge, he was washed out to sea. The award has been given to State Police employees who distinguish themselves by performing or reacting to a situation in a positive and professional manner which saves, or reduces the risk of loss of life of another person; and, where a strong possibility existed that if such action wasn't taken, loss of life or serious injury would have resulted. The presentation to Deputy ASH is the first time the OSP lifesaving award has been given to a non-State Police employee. ### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
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