Scam Alert
5/31/24 – Lane County targeted by automated phone scam (Photo) – 05/31/24
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office has received dozens of reports this morning from our community about an automated phone scam claiming to be our agency. The scam is originating from or providing a callback number of 541-361-3786, and all options on the phone tree result in the caller being asked to send an email to a fraudulent email address, usually some variation of “info” at “civil service agency”.
Residents are advised not to call the scammer back or email any address provided. If you are contacted by this scam, please report it to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at www.ic3.gov.
We will NEVER ask for money by phone, text, or email. We will NEVER call you about missed jury duty. Scammers usually claim there are warrants, missed jury duty, or unsettled legal issues. The scammers then ask for payment or personal information, often to avoid arrest. In some instances, the scammers appear to call from official phone numbers or provide fraudulent callback numbers with official-sounding voicemail inboxes. They often already have some personal information based on the phone number they called.
If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a Lane County Sheriff’s Office employee and you think you are being scammed, please hang up and contact our dispatch center at 541-682-4141.
Please share with your friends and family!
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5/19/24 – LCSO Case #24-2599 – Deputies arrest armed felon after shooting outside Junction City (Photo) – 05/21/24
On May 19th at about 1:30 p.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a dispute with shots fired in the 28700 block of Bailey Lane, south of Junction City. Investigation determined David Lynn Parker, 69, drove to the location while intoxicated to confront several Hispanic workers about a perceived theft.
Parker pointed a rifle at a worker and fired several times, injuring him. The worker then struck Parker, knocking him unconscious, and secured the firearm. Parker also made racially derogatory comments about the victims.
Parker was evaluated for his injury then lodged at the Lane County Jail on charges of Assault in the Second Degree, Bias Crime in the First Degree x3, Menacing x4, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Use of a Weapon x3, Reckless Endangering x4, Coercion, and DUII. Parker was still in custody as of May 21st.
Still from low head dam rescue
5/18/24 – Six rafters rescued from hazardous dam on the Willamette River (Photo) – 05/21/24
On Saturday, May 18th at about 3:15 p.m., Lane County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol and Search & Rescue Deputies responded to a water rescue along with Eugene Springfield Fire. The rescue took place on and around the low head dam, a concrete structure in the Willamette River east of I-5 that has formed an enormous log jam.
A total of six people were rescued, including two in shallow water below the dam and one on the dam. None had life jackets, and were floating on inner tubes. Five had gone over the dam into the strainer, while one managed to grab onto a log. Had they gone under the log jam, they likely would not have survived.
Lane County has miles of beautiful water ways and warm spring weather. Please enjoy safely. Wear a life jacket. Scout the river ahead. Check river obstructions before you go. For those floating the Willamette River in the Eugene / Springfield area, be very cautious passing low head dam, to include taking out well before the obstruction to go around it.
View an interactive map of obstructions from the Oregon State Marine Board at oregon-boating-obstructions-geo.hub.arcgis.com.
Still from low head dam rescue
5/18/24 – Six rafters rescued from hazardous dam on the Willamette River (Photo) – 05/21/24
On Saturday, May 18th at about 3:15 p.m., Lane County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol and Search & Rescue Deputies responded to a water rescue along with Eugene Springfield Fire. The rescue took place on and around the low head dam, a concrete structure in the Willamette River east of I-5 that has formed an enormous log jam.
A total of six people were rescued, including two in shallow water below the dam and one on the dam. None had life jackets, and were floating on inner tubes. Five had gone over the dam into the strainer, while one managed to grab onto a log. Had they gone under the log jam, they likely would not have survived.
Lane County has miles of beautiful water ways and warm spring weather. Please enjoy safely. Wear a life jacket. Scout the river ahead. Check river obstructions before you go. For those floating the Willamette River in the Eugene / Springfield area, be very cautious passing low head dam, to include taking out well before the obstruction to go around it.
View an interactive map of obstructions from the Oregon State Marine Board at oregon-boating-obstructions-geo.hub.arcgis.com.
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5/11/24 – Suspect arrested for multiple thefts, including communication line, timber gates, and burglary (Photo) – 05/20/24
Branden Paul Sherrill, 41, is facing multiple criminal charges from cases spanning across Lane County.
During the 2024 ice storm, Sherrill took advantage of the power outage to break into the Shotgun Park maintenance headquarters near Marcola. Sherrill stole a dump trailer, various tools, and power equipment. He then returned for a second burglary, stealing more tools from a storage shed and yard (LCSO Case #24-1680).
On April 17th, an area resident of Richardson Upriver Road near Linslaw discovered three wooden utility poles had been cut down and a half-mile of telecommunications line stolen. A tow strap was used to pull down the line, and a remnant of the tow strap was still attached. The following week on April 24th, a deputy patrolling the area observed a vehicle with tow straps tied to the hitch and conducted a traffic stop. One of the tow straps matched the segment of strap found on scene (LCSO Case #24-1978). Sherrill was identified as the suspect.
During that stop, evidence regarding the theft of two yellow BLM gates and one white Weyerhaeuser gate was also discovered (LCSO Case #24-2084). These gates had been cut up and stolen April 21st and scrapped at a local metal recycler on April 22nd.
Sherrill was located near Whittaker Creek Campground on May 11th. He was arrested and lodged at the Lane County Jail on a warrant for a probation violation. He has been charged with Aggravated Theft in the First Degree, Theft in the First Degree x2, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree x3, Burglary in the Second Degree, and Unlawful Use of a Vehicle. Sherrill is still in custody as of May 20th.
Glenwood Arrest
5/15/24 – LCSO Case #24-2527 – Deputies arrest male destroying Glenwood convenience store (Photo) – 05/20/24
On May 15th at about 7 a.m., deputies responded to a report of a burglary and assault in progress in the 1400 block of S. Brooklyn Street, Glenwood. Deputies contacted a male suspect, Jason Michael Grimm, 40, shortly after arriving on scene.
As they attempted to detain him, Grimm ran into a nearby convenience store. Deputies chased him inside, where Grimm used a slingshot to shoot rocks at deputies and store clerks. Grimm then began throwing items from the shelves, some hard enough to break exterior windows. Deputies were able to detain Grimm without further incident. The initial caller declined contact by deputies.
Grimm was arrested and lodged at the Lane County Jail for Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing x2, Recklessly Endangering x5, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, and Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree. Grimm is still in custody as of May 20th.
Glenwood Arrest
5/8/24 – LCSO Case #24-2181 – Deputies arrest male for robbery and assault (Photo) – 05/16/24
On April 27th, Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a robbery in the 4100 block of Franklin Boulevard, Eugene. The victim met an unknown male at a public location to purchase an item being sold online, then again later in the evening to purchase another item. This time they met in a less public area. The suspect pointed a handgun at the victim, demanded money, and struck him in the face twice. The victim complied, and then was able to escape.
Detectives identified the suspect as Joshua Randall Welty, 24, of Glenwood. On May 8th, they located Welty and arrested him for Robbery in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Menacing. On May 9th, detectives and deputies served a search warrant in the 1700 block of Concord Street. Additional evidence was located. As of May 16th, Welty is still in custody.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office reminds residents to always meet in a public place when buying and selling, ideally at a location with cameras.
McKenzie Safety Info
Lane County Sheriff’s Office attempting to locate assault suspect in McKenzie area (Photo) – 05/15/24
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate William David McCormick, 52. He is a person of interest in an assault investigation. McCormick was recently last seen in the Vida and McKenzie Bridge area.
If you have any information regarding McCormick’s location, please call the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4141 and reference case #24-2445.
Fallen heroes of Lane County Sheriff’s Office
Remembering those who gave all in service of Lane County during National Police Week (Photo) – 05/15/24
This week marks National Police Week. This week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others while honoring those who commit themselves to the field of law enforcement. Our own county has had many deputies – and even a sheriff – lay down their lives in service to the people of our county. Join us in remembering their sacrifice.
Sheriff W. W. Withers
February 7, 1903 – Sheriff William W. Withers was killed attempting to apprehend Elliott Lyons, a horse thief, wanted in Jackson County. The slayer escaped, but a huge posse was formed and he was captured in Creswell under a train that was heading out of town. In Eugene, Oregon, under the direction of Fred Fisk, a deputy under Withers and a Lane County Judge, witnessed the hanging of Lyons outside the Lane County Courthouse. This was the last public function of the kind in the state. He was survived by his wife and son.
Deputy C. Rollin Wicks
May 14, 1937 – Deputy Rollin Wicks was killed by a neighbor during arrest after the man shot and wounded another neighbor while engaged in a dispute. Deputy Wicks was unarmed at the time. Deputies surrounded the house for five hours while tear gas was rushed to the scene from Salem. The suspect later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after holding off deputies, state police officers, employees of the nearby Booth Kelly Mill and residents of Wendling.
Chief Criminal Detective David Hefner
July 13, 1957 – Chief Criminal Detective David D. Hefner responded to a family disturbance call in the River Road area. During the altercation, Detective Hefner was shot in the back. Trooper Charles Sanders was shot and killed when he arrived on scene to assist. Detective Hefner spent four months in a local hospital before succumbing to the wound. The suspect was sentenced to 25 years, but was paroled after 9 years. Hefner was survived by his wife and five children.
Deputy Robert Riley
August 17, 1958 – Deputy Robert M. Riley was riding in an off-duty capacity with a Springfield Police Officer and merchant patrolman. While in pursuit of a speeding vehicle that was fleeing the scene of a reported alarm activation, an intoxicated driver turned in front of the patrol car. The officer used evasive measures to avoid the drunk driver, but in doing so ran into a car in a gas station lot and then a telephone pole. Mr. Riley, a Lane County reserve deputy, died as a result of the injuries suffered in the accident. Riley was survived by his wife and son.
Deputy Carlton Smith
July 6, 1965 – Deputy Carlton Smith was killed on his first night of patrol as a solo officer. While making a traffic stop in the area which is now the Valley River Center off ramp, he was shot by Carl Cletus Bowles and Wilford Gray, both escaped convicts. Carl Cletus Bowles escaped from Oregon State Penitentiary custody June of 1974 and was the focus of a huge manhunt in Eugene on June 14, 1974. He subsequently kidnapped a couple from South Eugene and later murdered them in Washington. He was recaptured and convicted of the homicides. Deputy Smith left a widow, Margaret Perdue, five sons and a daughter. Randy Smith became a Captain with the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and another son, Don Smith, worked as a Eugene Police officer. One of his step-grandsons is currently a patrol sergeant at the Sheriff’s Office.
Detective Roy Dirks
April 11, 1975 – Detective Roy H. Dirks was investigating a drowning incident in the Blue River area when he was shot and killed by Belinda Lederer, a member of the Norman “Snake” Brooks family. Lederer was convicted of manslaughter and Brooks was convicted of hindering prosecution. The suspects belonged to a communal group that had prior contacts with Detective Dirks. Roy previously was a resident deputy in the Cottage Grove area. He was survived by his four children.
Sergeant Carl Frazier
October 9, 1979 – Sgt. Carl L. Frazier died of a heart attack climbing a hill during a marijuana eradication investigation near Florence. Sergeant Frazier had served as the supervisor for the Florence outpost of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office.
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Lane County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol offers free boat inspections during May (Photo) – 05/02/24
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with Bi-Mart to again offer free boat inspections to help you get on the water safely!
Bring your boat to a listed Bi-Mart on the scheduled date and time and a Lane County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol Deputy will inspect your boat for free and help make sure you have everything you need.
And for those non-motorized boats (including paddle boards, kayaks, etc.), be sure to always carry a life jacket, whistle/horn and a waterway access permit.
Saturday 5/04/24 -10am-1pm
Junction City Bi-Mart
110 E 6th Avenue
Sunday 5/05/24 – 10am-1pm
Florence Bi-Mart
4310 Highway 101
Saturday 5/11/24 – 10am-1pm
River Road Bi-Mart
2030 River Road
Sunday 5/12/24 – 10am-1pm
Cottage Grove Bi-Mart
100 Gateway Boulevard
Saturday 5/25/24 – 10am-1pm
Springfield Bi-Mart
1521 Mohawk Boulevard
Sunday 5/26/24 – 10am-1pm
Veneta Bi-Mart
25126 Jeans Road
Original Article: Source