SALUTE TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ❚ SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2021
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National
POLICE WEEK Honoring Our Heroes May 9-15, 2021
FROM THE CHIEF
What is National Police Week? In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police 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.
Chief Turner began with the Florence Police Department in May of 2015. The City of Florence has approximately nine thousand residents. The City Police Department has a total of 25 employees, 15 sworn personnel, 1 Corrections Officer, 7 dispatchers, and Administrative Staff. We provide for 24 hours a day police services, dispatch, and a municipal jail. Prior to this Chief Turner was the lane County Sheriff from 2011 until the Chief appointment in 2015. Lane County has a population of three hundred and fifty thousand people. As Sheriff he was the Chief Executive Officer for a full service law enforcement agency with over 350 employees that included Adult Corrections, Patrol Services, and Prisoner Transport/Court Security. The Lane County Sheriff ’ s Office has over 600 volunteers; from Search and Rescue to the Mounted Posse. He joined the lane County Sheriff ’s Office in 2006 as a Captain, then promoted to the Undersheriff in 2007. As Undersheriff, 2nd in Command, he was responsible for Human Resources, Training, Emergency Management, Labor Relations and Professional Standards. He was appointed to the Sheriff s position in
POLICE CHIEF - TOM TURNER
January of 2011. Chief Turner’s training and education include thousands of hours of training and multiple certifications, including a DPSST Executive Certificate and graduate of the FBI National Academy. His formal education includes a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s of Business Administration. Chief Turner’s professional memberships include the Oregon Chiefs of Police Association, Oregon Education Association, Oregon State Sheriff ’s.
TRUE VALUE HARDWARE
1750 HIGHWAY 126 • FLORENCE • 541-997-8024
Commander John Pitcher Commander John Pitcher has served the City of Florence as a police officer since February, 1988. He came to Florence PD after serving in the US Air Force. John and his wife Diana raised their sons in Florence, both of whom graduated from Siuslaw High School and have gone on to law enforcement careers of their own. Son Michael Pitcher is a Deputy with Douglas County Sheriff. Son Aaron Pitcher is a Sergeant with the Toledo PD (Oregon), Police Department. John enjoys spending time with his family and LOVES being a Grandpa.
ACR AUTOMOTIVE
1736 15TH STREET • 541-997-6700
WIND DRIFT GALLERY 1395 BAY STREET • 541-997-9182
2 SALUTE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
❚ SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2021
National
POLICE WEEK Honoring Our Heroes SGT. BRANDON OTT
Brandon started with the Florence Police Department in 2004 as a Reserve Police Officer. Brandon also served as Code Enforcement Officer from 2007 until 2011 when he was hired as a Patrol Officer. Brandon enjoys many of the outdoor activities Florence has to offer, as well as spending time with his family.
ALOHA PET GROOMING 1751 12TH STREET • 541-997-2726
ASSISTANT TO CHIEF TURNER, JAMIE GORDER
SGT. LEN LARSON
SGT. DENTON TIPLER
Len has been with the Florence Police Department since 2002. He hopes to serve the community for many years to come.
Denton grew up in Springfield Oregon. He attended college after graduating from high school and earned his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice. He joined the Florence Police Department as a Reserve Police Officer in 2011 and was hired on full time as a Police Officer in 2013. He enjoys spending time with family, friends, and his two dogs Rhody and Clyde.
GETZ CONSTRUCTION
OLD SCHOOL FURNITURE
AARON GETZ • 541-999-7724
1550 6TH STREET, FLORENCE • 541-997-9424
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER HAILEY COONS
OFFICER GARRETT LITTERELL
Jamie has lived here in beautiful Florence most of her life. Whether she is being a sports mom, camping, hunting, shop-
ping or playing with her three labs Tank, Brutus & Hercules, there is nothing she loves more than being with her family!
SAW SHOP FLORENCE
1550 6TH STREET, FLORENCE • 541-997-2653
Hailey has been with the Florence Police since 2018. In her spare time she loves traveling, cooking, and being with her husband.
WEST COAST REAL ESTATE SERVICES 1870 HIGHWAY 126 • 541-997-7653
OFFICER MATTHEW BRAATEN
OFFICER ROBERT MERRYMAN
Matt has been with the department since 2016 and is a patrol officer. In his spare time he loves to go camping and spending time with wife and family.
Rob was born in Spokane, WA and he attended North Central High School. He then joined the US Coast Guard and spent 5 years in the service. Rob became a police officer in 2003 and worked for Gresham PD. He was hired by Florence Police Department in 2004. Rob’s K-9 partner
BANNER BANK
777 HIGHWAY 101 • 541-997-3486
DETECTIVE BRANDON BAILEY
Brandon served in the U.S. Army for nearly 7 years as an Armored Tank Crewman, with a deployment to Iraq. Brandon completed his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration in 2017. Brandon was hired by FPD in 2014 as the Corrections Officer, then moved to Patrol and School Resource Officer. He is now assigned as the Detective. Brandon enjoys spending his time with his family in this great community.
DUNES MEMORIAL CHAPEL
2300 FRONTAGE ROAD, REEDSPORT • 541-271-2822
Dale retired this year after 7 years of service.
Garrett has been with the department since 2018 coming to us from Gold Beach. He went to college on a basketball scholarship and just recently graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice. He loves all sports, hunting, fishing and being with family.
DOMINO’S PIZZA
2775 HIGHWAY 101 • 541-901-3030
OFFICER STEVE CASE
Steve traded in his dunes and trail riding on motorcycles & ATV’s along the coast over the years for patrolling in our community, as he just completed his second year with Florence Police Department. He is an avid hunter and enjoys the outdoors, but nothing compares to the joy he gets when he’s spending time with his two teenagers.
COAST INSURANCE
LOFY CONSTRUCTION, LLC
777 MAPLE STREET • 541-997-7777
OFFICER WADE MARTIN
OFFICER KEENAN WALKER
2530 KINGWOOD STREET • 541-590-3691 • CCB# 221760
Wade came to the Florence Police Department with 29 experience as a Law enforcement Officer. He loves traveling to new locations, hunting and fishing.
COASTAL HOME SERVICES
2530 KINGWOOD STREET “D” • 541-590-7027
Keenan moved to Florence in 2006 and graduated from Siuslaw High School in 2012. He spent 6 years in the Oregon Army National Guard as a Military Police Specialist. Keenan joined the department in 2019. In his free time he enjoys hanging out with his wife, son and puppy.
FIRST COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION 2077 HWY 101, FLORENCE • 541-902-9599
SALUTE TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ❚ SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2021
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National
POLICE WEEK Honoring Our Heroes OFFICER MATHEW ORTWEIN
OFFICER ELI MCGALLIAN
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER JOSHUA THOMAS
Matt is from North Bend, Oregon. He attended College at Southwestern Oregon Community College, and Western Oregon University before joining the U.S. Coast Guard in 2015. He started in July 2020 and is looking forward to serving and getting to know the people of Florence.
Officer McGallian grew up along the Washington coast. He attended Washington State University and pursued a career as a Golf Course Superintendent. Eli has lived in Florence since 2006. He became a Florence Police Officer in October of 2019 in order to better serve the community he has come to love. In his free time, Eli enjoys coaching youth sports and spending time with family.
Josh is a Florence native. He graduated from Siuslaw High School in 2003 and attended University of Oregon, making the football team as a walk-on candidate. For several years, Josh served as the Athletic Director for the Florence Boys & Girls Club. Josh has worked for the Police Department since 2012. He enjoys sports, coaching, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.
FLORENCE HEATING & SHEET METAL INC 1645 KINGWOOD , FLORENCE • 541-997-2422
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER ANGEL RAY
Born in Memphis, TN, Angel grew up both in the city and the surrounding rural communities. She spent over 10 years working in the casinos south of Memphis in table games before returning to school and earning her EMT-Paramedic license. She then went to work for City of Memphis Fire as a Firefighter/Paramedic. In January 2019, her husband Rick accepted a job with Three Rivers Casino bringing them both to Florence. Shortly after settling in she joined Florence Police as a Dispatcher. Angel and Rick have a 24 year old son, Todd, who still lives in Memphis, but is making plans to join them here on the coast. Both she and her husband agree that relocating to Florence was the best move they ever made.
FLORENCE IN BLOOM
1736 15TH STREET • 541-997-6700
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER ANGELA OTT
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER VIVIAN PEBLEY
Angie was born and raised in the Florence/Mapleton area. She has been employed by the Florence Police Department since 2008. When not working she enjoys traveling, shopping, and discovering new activities to enjoy with her family.
Colorado Native, Vivian moved to Florence in 2018 with her husband. We are a proud first responder family looking forward to growing within the community & this profession. She enjoys helping and serving those in need.
HOBERG’S COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR
LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTER
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER LAURA OLSON
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER YOLANDA ROSS
345 HIGHWAY 101 • 541-997-2413
Laura has been a Communications Officer with FPD since May, 2014. She has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Oregon. In her spare time, Laura likes to spend time with her family, cooking, and Geocaching.
TR HUNTER REAL ESTATE SIUSLAW NEWS
BONNIE148 WELCH ROKER • MOBILE : 310-487-3013 MAPLE, SBTREET • FLORENCE • 541-997-3441
ACR AUTOMOTIVE
1234 RHODODENDRON DR. • FLORENCE • 541-997-5391
4325 HIGHWAY 101 • 541-997-7178
Yolanda has worked as a law enforcement dispatcher since 1976 and was hired by the City of Florence in 1995. Yolanda and her husband are involved in the local SASS Cowboy Action group/Siuslaw River Rangers. She also enjoys listening to audio books while walking her dogs.
PRO-LUMBER
WIND DRIFT GALLERY 1395 BAY STREET • 541-997-9182 COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER JACQUIE HERRON
Jacquie moved to Florence from Maryland to be closer to family. She has been with the Florence Police Department as a Communications Officer since June 2020.
THE GIRLS MAINTENANCE
4385 HIGHWAY 101 • 541-997-3438
FLORENCE • 541-590-0283
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER DAN FRAZIER
Dan moved to Florence in 1979 and graduated from Siuslaw High School in 1981. His father was a career police officer. Dan worked in the lumber mills for over 28 years prior to becoming the Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Florence. Dan is a proud grandpa to 5 grandkids!
FLORENCE HEATING & SHEET METAL INC 1645 KINGWOOD , FLORENCE • 541-997-2422
Florence Police Auxiliary Volunteers FLORENCE POLICE DEPARTMENT 900 GREENWOOD STREET • 541-997-3515
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SALUTE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ❚ SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2021
National
POLICE WEEK Honoring Our Heroes CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF COOS, LOWER UMPQUA & SIUSLAW INDIANS TRIBAL POLICE DEPARTMENT LIEUTENANT BRIAN DUBRAY
OFFICER SHANE HENDERSON
OFFICER MIKE OLSON
Brian joined the department in early 2014. He has over 19 years law enforcement experience ranging from a Reserve Officer and Communications Officer for North Bend PD, Tribal Police Officer with the Coquille Tribal Police to his current position as the Lieutenant with the department. Brian is from the Florence area and graduated from Siuslaw High School. He holds a B.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Portland State University and an A.S. in Music.
Shane has over 5 years law enforcement experience. He is a CTCLUSI Tribal member having held several positions within the Tribal government prior to joining our department in 2015. Currently he covers a patrol area that includes the Florence area, Coos County, Douglas County and Lane County Tribal Lands.
Mike joined our department during 2019. He brings with him over 24 years law enforcement experience. His primary patrol area is our Coos Bay tribal lands. Prior to joining the CTCLUSI Police Department Mike was a Police Officer with the North Bend Police Department. While with North Bend, Mike held several positions some of which were F.T.O., D.A.R.E and S.R.O., A.L.I.C.E instructor and was part of the Coos County Emergency Response team.
THREE RIVERS CASINO RESORT 5647 HWY. 126 • 541-997-7529
THREE RIVERS CASINO RESORT 5647 HWY. 126 • 541-997-7529
THREE RIVERS CASINO RESORT 5647 HWY. 126 • 541-997-7529
LANE COUNTY SHERIFF FLORENCE PATROL OFFICE DEPUTY JOSH PUTZIER, DUNES PATROL
OFFICE CHARLES DOUGLASS
Deputy Josh Putzier is a native Oregonian. He attended college after high school and earned his Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Deputy Putzier joined the Lane County Sheriff’s Office as a Reserve Deputy in 2011 and was hired as a Corrections Deputy in 2013. He then transferred to the Police Services Division in 2014 and is now assigned to the West Lane Resident Deputy position. Deputy Putzier enjoys spending time with friends and family, camping, and being outdoors.
I moved to Oregon in the late 90’s. I have been a deputy for 22 years. Prior to that I was a firefighter. I am the arson investigator for LCSO and I am the medic on the tactical team. I have worked in the jail, transport, patrol, the Veneta patrol contract, marine patrol, patrol supervision and now the Dunes. I have three children ages 7-20. I am married to a fire captain and we live in the Eugene area on a ranch we just bought in December.
ACR AUTOMOTIVE
1736 15TH STREET • 541-997-6700
SIUSLAW SCHOOL DISTRICT 2111 OAK STREET • 541-997-2651
DEPUTY KEEGAN MCQUILLAN I have been employed with the Sheriff’s Office for six years. I was recently assigned to the West Lane position after serving a year in the Veneta contract. During my career I have developed a passion for enforcing laws associated with drugs, firearms and violent offenders. I maintain a proactive approach to crime prevention and offender apprehension. I was previously an instructor for our Defensive Tactics team and I am currently a member of our SWAT team. I thoroughly enjoy working for the community members in West Lane and the support for our efforts has been overwhelming.
JERRY’S PLACE BAR & GRILL
88274 RHODODENDRON DRIVE • 541-997-3815
SIUSLAW NEWS WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY DAY TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY.