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| John Day-area OSP Trooper Receives Lifesaving Award | ||
| 12/18/2007 | ||
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Sergeant Gordon Larson Oregon State Police - John Day Office: (541) 575-1363 ext. 21 Photograph Courtesy of Blue Mountain Eagle newspaper The determination of an Oregon State Police trooper for his efforts to attempt to save two men from drowning this summer at a reservoir in southern Grant County was recognized today when Superintendent Timothy McLain presented him with the Department's "Harold R. Berg Lifesaving Award."  On August 17, 2007 at approximately 11:20 a.m. two males, ages 41 and 19, were in a canoe about 30 feet from the shore at Poison Creek Reservoir located off Highway 395 south of Seneca. The canoe was witnessed tipping over by CLINTON BACON, age 46, from Burns, who had stopped to water his dog. Both canoe occupants, who were not using life jackets, went into the water about thirty feet from shore. BACON called out to the men and asked if they were alright. Initially both indicated they were OK but shortly afterwards called out asking for help. BACON ran over to the area of the reservoir shore and swam out to the men. BACON was able to get the 19-year old male and brought him to shore. The 41-year old male disappeared under water. BACON called 9-1-1 for help. OSP Trooper TOM HUTCHISON was about two miles from the reservoir and responded. Upon arrival Trooper HUTCHISON removed his uniform and gear and went into the water, swimming out to the overturned canoe's location about 30 feet from shore. Trooper HUTCHISON dove several times down to the lake bottom, but after about 15 minutes he became too fatigued and returned to shore. BACON swam back out to the same area and after a couple dives he found the man and brought him back to the surface. Due to fatigue, BACON was unable to keep hold of the man who slipped back under water. Trooper HUTCHISON swam back to the area with a rope provided by a bystander. After about 30 minutes they found the man again and brought him back to the surface. The bystander paddled a small rubber raft to their location to help bring them back to shore. While doing so, HUTCHISON noted BACON was struggling to stay afloat. HUTCHISON grabbed BACON to keep him from going under water, and wrapped a rope around him while holding onto BACON and the man. A second OSP trooper on shore helped pull the raft and men back to the shore. Trooper HUTCHISON immediately began CPR to revive the man who had been under water approximately 45 - 60 minutes. After a few minutes, an OSP trooper who is a designated deputy medical examiner declared the man deceased. Trooper HUTCHISON, age 44, has been a member of OSP at the John Day work site for 2 years after previously working for John Day Police Department. 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 is 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. ### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
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