Emergency Info and Latest News from the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office

From the desk of Deschutes County Sheriff L. Shane Nelson

In the past week, I have received numerous emails and phone calls requesting our office make a statement on Mr. Vander Kamp’s current status.

The Source did a news article that contained the link to the La Mesa documents. The Court ordered candidate Vander Kamp to post a link to the La Mesa documents on his campaign website.

Here are the La Mesa Documents and Source story links as well.

La Mesa Documents link : https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/hgpvp3peaeexreqmx0125/AMUNB6EwBAGj0AbuDJDq_Vc?rlkey=anlged2v9tt8kby2e56psvfut&st=4x65flce&dl=0

Article link: https://www.bendsource.com/news/internal-investigation-documents-against-sheriff-candidate-kent-vander-kamp-made-public-21997383

These are the most asked questions to the Sheriff’s Office this week:

· Is Deschutes County’s Sheriff’s Office internal investigation of Sergeant Kent Vander Kamp complete? Answer: “No, this investigation is still ongoing. Mr. Vander Kamp has not been exonerated.”

o If so, have all personnel records been shared publicly from the La Mesa PD & Deschutes County Circuit Court? Answer: The Court ordered the candidate to post a link to the La Mesa documents on his campaign website.

o If not, will any additional information be shared prior to the Deschutes County Sheriff election on Tuesday, November 5th? Answer: "I am not aware of any further information that will be released prior to the election."

· Would the Deschutes County Sheriff Office (DCSO) consider employing an individual with these La Mesa PD allegations for a job at the DCSO today? Answer: "No, we would not."

· Could the allegations of misconduct and dishonesty against Sergeant Kent Vander Kamp from La Mesa PD’s internal investigation potentially lead to a loss of his law enforcement certifications in the State of Oregon, and/or disqualify him from being a Sheriff? Answer: "That is a possibility. The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) would make that decision. The Sheriff’s Office investigation is to determine whether there are violations of Sheriff’s Office policies and appropriate employment actions. The question of being disqualified from serving as Sheriff is not within the scope of the Sheriff’s Office investigation. The DPSST may review his certification but the Sheriff’s Office does not have the authority to review his certification.

· Please refer to the email I sent to OPB (Oregon Public Broadcasting) on September 30, 2024 regarding information on Brady and certification." (see below)

Our office’s emailed answer to OPB’s question on election allegations:

“This is not election interference. Our office is fulfilling its legal obligation and duty to investigate complaints. In the Spring of 2024, our office received a citizen complaint about Mr. Vander Kamp’s prior employment at La Mesa Police Department. Because, as it has been reported in local media stories Mr. Vander Kamp has denied any prior law enforcement experience, we have an obligation to determine if he was untruthful.

Oregon law requires that a law enforcement agency investigate allegations of serious misconduct or dishonesty, and depending on the investigation findings, it may require reporting to other agencies such as the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training or the District Attorney’s Office. ORS 181A.681(3)(c) requires an agency to conduct an investigation when the agency receives a report of misconduct or a violation of the minimum standards for moral fitness for public safety personnel established under ORS 181A.410. Moral fitness specifically includes allegations of dishonesty or untruthfulness. OAR 265-010-0025 (administrative rule defining moral character for officers). The rule also requires that if an agency determines that a public safety officer has engaged in conduct that demonstrates a lack of good moral character, the agency is required by Oregon law to impose a disciplinary sanction of termination. Investigations having sustained findings of serious misconduct or lack of moral character require our agency to notify the DPSST Academy so they can do their part in reviewing a law enforcement officer’s certification.

If a law enforcement agency were to ignore, or fail to investigate allegations that a law enforcement officer is untruthful, that would contradict the 2021 police reform bills enacted by the Oregon Legislature and the expectations of our community. I do not believe that the public nor our Legislature would endorse a policy of ignoring or failing to investigate allegations that a current law enforcement officer has been untruthful or dishonest.

Regarding notification to the District Attorney, for over fifty years, law enforcement agencies have been required to notify prosecutors of potentially exculpatory information, such as a finding that an officer was untruthful, pursuant to Brady v. Maryland, 373 US 83 (1963). Prosecutors have an obligation to provide this information to defendants in criminal cases involving that officer, and our office is required to notify our D. A.’s Office of investigation results with sustained findings of untruthfulness. A finding of untruthfulness by a law enforcement officer is potentially exculpatory information for purposes of the Brady v. Maryland case. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has held that police officers who failed to notify the prosecutor of exculpatory information violated the suspect’s constitutional rights under Brady v. Maryland. Tennison v. City and County of San Francisco, 570 F3d 1078 (9th Cir 2008).

“The law enforcement profession requires the highest integrity and ethics. It is a profession that can legally affect individual community members’ civil rights. The community permits police officers to wield the power to arrest and use deadly force, but with that incredible power comes responsibility. Only those law enforcement officers who have impeccable integrity should be allowed to wear the badge and utilize this power. When an officer is alleged to have engaged in serious misconduct, such as being untruthful, we owe our community a full investigation into the circumstances, as the Oregon Legislature has explicitly stated.” Sheriff L. Shane Nelson

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind our community to be vigilant in monitoring their mail as it is delivered to them.  Mail theft unfortunately occurs throughout the year, but historically begins to rise at this time during the year through the holidays.  Earlier on this date, it was reported to DCSO that a large amount of mail was located on the side of the road near Hunnel Rd and Loco Rd.  There were several unopened ballots located within this found mail.  All ballots were returned to the Deschutes County Clerk’s Office to be re-issued to the affected voters.  If you have not received your ballot by Wednesday, 10/23/24, you should contact the Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison at 541-388-6547.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office recommends members of our community check their mail frequently and avoid leaving it in their mailboxes overnight.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with five K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 263 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 178 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.  

Released By: Sergeant Jason Wall

Release Date: October 15, 2024

Location: 17000 block Indio Road, Bend, Oregon

Suspect: white male, wearing glasses, camouflage hooded sweatshirt, a black face covering, black baseball cap, black pants, and red/black gloves

Narrative:

On October 14th, 2024, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a report of a burglary in the 17000 block of Indio Road. The homeowner contacted Deschutes County 911 and advised the call taker he was viewing a male who was attempting to burglarize his home from a remote camera inside the residence.

The male suspect was able to disable the interior cameras while he was inside the residence. However, the homeowner was able to capture a still image and video of the suspect.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for assistance with identifying this suspect. This investigation is on-going and active. Please report any information to the Deschutes County 911 non-emergency number 541-693-6911

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is also reminding the public to remain vigilant in their neighborhoods. Report suspicious vehicles, persons, and activity to the Deschutes County 911 call center.

Utilize lighting at night to illuminate the exterior of your residence and property. Secure windows and doors, and if possible, install or continue to utilize exterior cameras that are mounted high enough to avoid easy vandalism.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with five K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 259 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 193 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County. 

**Update: October 15, 2024 | 8:45 AM**

Released by:  Sergeant Nathan Garibay

Incident:  Pine Fire

With continued success of fire operations and improved conditions, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is lowering all evacuation levels on and around Pine Mountain to normal status effective immediately.

Please continue to avoid the fire area and abide by closures in place by land management organizations. 

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with five K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves 210,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 265 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 195 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County. 

***End of Release***

**Update: October 9, 2024 | 4 PM**

Due to improved conditions and success by firefighters, the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office is reducing evacuation levels around the Pine Fire.

Current evacuation levels are:

Level 3: Go Now! - Public lands on and immediately the eastern flanks of surrounding Pine Mountain including Antelope Ridge and private lands in Kotzman Basin (remains unchanged).

Level 2: Be Set - The western portion of Pine Mountain, south to FS Road 23 and south to Sand Springs and the Mahogany Butte Area.

Level 1: Be Ready - Areas north and east of Pine Mountain, south of Hwy 20 from FS Road 2017 (Pine Mountain Rd) to Fredericks Butte Rd.

Current maps can be found at www.deschutes.org/emergency

End of Update

**Update: October 7, 2024 | 8:30 PM **

Due to continued growth of the Pine Fire, additional evacuation areas have been identified:

Level 3: Go Now! - west of Moffitt Rd. south of Hwy. 20 to Fox Butte Rd.

Level 2: Be Set - south of Hwy 20 west of Fox Butte Rd. north of the National Forest, east of Pine Mountain Rd. 

Additionally, Level 2: Be Set - South of Hwy 20, west of Frederick Butte Rd. east of Moffitt Rd.

Level 2: Means “BE SET” to evacuate. You must prepare to leave at a moment’s notice. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntary relocate to a shelter or with family and friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk. This may be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Area media services will be asked to broadcast periodic updates.

Level 3: Means “GO” evacuate now. Leave immediately! Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should evacuate immediately. If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be available to assist you further. DO NOT delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home. This will be the last notice you receive.

Please go to www.deschutes.org/emergency for current information. 

Avoid the area, be aware of emergency vehicles/personnel.

***End of Update***

Released by:  Sgt. Nathan Garibay

**October 7, 2024, 6:38PM**

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and partner agencies are currently on scene responding to a new fire southeast of Pine Mountain, the Pine Fire. Due to current conditions the following evacuation levels are in place:

Level 3: Go Now! Public lands on and immediately surrounding Pine Mountain including Antelope Ridge and Kotzman Basin.

Level 3: Means “GO” evacuate now. Leave immediately! Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should evacuate immediately. If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be available to assist you further. DO NOT delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home. This will be the last notice you receive.

Please go to www.deschutes.org/emergency for current information.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with five K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 259 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 193 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.

***END OF RELEASE***

***Update: Vernon Fugate found***

On October 12, 2024, at approximately 6:35 pm, Vernon Roy Fugate was located by law enforcement and has been returned home to his family. The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office appreciates the assistance they received from the public.

End of updated release

NARRATIVE:

On October 12, 2024, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the report of a subject who had walked away from his residence at approximately 3:30 p.m. in La Pine and had not returned home.

Vernon Roy Fugate is 77 years old and suffers from Alzheimer’s. He is a white male, approximately 5’ 11” tall, 185 pounds, gray hair and brown eyes. Vernon was last seen wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, black tennis shoes and a black hat reading “Veteran.” Vernon is accompanied by his dog “Gunner” a black Rottweiler.

Vernon has suffered stokes in the past and has difficultly speaking. He may be limping or dragging his left leg from a recent injury. 

Vernon was last seen in the Ponderosa Pines subdivision on the south end of Ponderosa Loop. Deputies conducted an extensive search of the area, to include foot patrols, neighborhood canvasses, an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) drone, and a bloodhound K9. Vernon was not located and his current whereabouts are unknown. 

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for any information on the whereabouts of Vernon Roy Fugate. Please contact Deschutes County 911 at 541-693-6911. 

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with five K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 263 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 178 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.

## End of Release ##

****CORRECTION****

This tragic incident took place on October 7th, 2024, not July 7th.

****END of CORRECTION****

Released by: Sergeant Jason Wall 

Release Date: October 11, 2024 

Location: Little Cultus Lake 

Deceased: Kent Christopher – 64-year-old male – Hillsboro, OR 

On July 7, 2024, at approximately 7:35pm, deputies with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the report of a missing person at Little Cultus Lake Campground. The reporting party – a family member – told deputies he was on a camping and fishing trip with Kent Christopher. The family member said while they were fishing in Little Cultus Lake, they lost their balance and fell out of their boat. 

Deputies learned the two could not climb back into the boat and became separated while swimming back to shore. The family member was able to return to the campground several hours later on foot, and discovered Christopher had not yet arrived. He then drove to Cascades Lakes Highway in order to reacquire cell service and contact Deschutes County 911. 

Deputies met with the family member at approximately 8:10pm and were led to the campsite. While deputies searched along the lake’s bank on foot for Christopher, another Deputy with drone capability responded. 

At approximately 9:24pm, Christopher’s body was located in the water with the use of the drone. Marine deputies with Sheriff’s Search & Rescue were dispatched and were able to recover Christopher that night. Deputies examined the body and do not believe foul play was involved in the drowning. 

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with five K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 259 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 193 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County. 

Released By: Sergeant Jason Wall

Released Date: October 10, 2024

Location: Highway 97 North of State Recreation Road, La Pine

Deceased Subject: Phillips, Daniel Richard 44-year-old male, Oregon City, Oregon

Narrative:

On October 7th, 2024, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office initiated a death investigation east of Highway 97 north of State Recreation Road in a wooded area, after suspected human remains were located.

Together with the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office, and Oregon State Police Forensic Unit, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Unit was able to positively identify the deceased subject as Daniel Richard Phillips. Phillips had been missing for 15 months from the Crescent area. Currently, based on the evidence and investigation thus far, foul play is not suspected. 

The investigation is on-going, no further information will be released at this time.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with five K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 259 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 193 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.

Released By: Sergeant Jason Wall

Release Date: October 1, 2024

Location: Highway 97/Rosland Road, La Pine, Oregon

Arrested: Johnson, Dawn Michelle 57-year-old female, Canby, Oregon

Arrested: Sawyer, Colin Timothy 32-year-old male, Salem, Oregon

Charges: ORS 475.894 Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine, ORS 475.854 Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance-Heroin

Narrative: 

On September 14th, 2024, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office conducted an interdiction stop on Highway 97, in La Pine. 

During the course of the traffic stop, patrol deputies contacted Dawn Johnson, and Colin Sawyer. While deputies were completing a traffic citation, a City of Bend Police Department K-9 handler arrived on scene. Narcotics K-9 “Bonnie” alerted to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle being driven by Johnson.

A subsequent hand search of the vehicle yielded 22.42 lbs. of Methamphetamine, and 4.74 lbs. of Heroin.

Johnson and Sawyer were issued citations in lieu of custody.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with five K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves 210,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 265 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 195 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.