BUTTE FALLS, Ore. – Search officials are thankful and relieved after finding a missing 80-year-old woman with dementia. Geraldine “Gerry” Hendricks survived three nights in the elements without apparent injury.
“It is always a good feeling to be able to give family members good news in a case like this,” said Jackson County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Shawn Richards. “She was cold and a little dehydrated, but she appears to be in amazingly good shape.”
At 11:45 a.m. on October 15, 2019, JCSO search and rescue (SAR) personnel spotted Hendricks. The ATV search team was driving on a forest road approximately two miles from Hendricks’ home when they found her walking on the road.
Mercy Flights medics took Hendricks by ambulance to a waiting helicopter. She was then transported to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center for evaluation.
Sgt. Richards said Hendricks was talkative and in good spirits, but due to her dementia, she did not realize she had been missing for so long.
“She was surprised to find out we’d been out here looking for her for nearly three full days,” said Sgt. Richards.
JCSO deputies and search teams first got the call on the evening of Saturday, October 12. Hendricks’ caregiver called 911 at 6:44 p.m. and reported that Hendricks was missing and may have walked away. Hendricks was reportedly wearing pink flannel pajamas when she was last seen at 6:15 p.m. in her home in the 4400-block of Obenchain Road.
Sgt. Richards said it turned out that Hendricks put on more clothing before walking away from her home. When Hendricks was found, she was wearing a turtleneck sweater, pink pajama pants, a pink camouflage coat, and walking shoes.
"Those extra layers may have made all the difference in keeping her alive in the elements,” said Sgt. Richards.
The initial search effort on Saturday night included a SAR K9 team, which searched Hendricks’ property. The dog tracked Hendricks’ scent to the end of her driveway, but it ended at Obenchain Road. The abbreviated K9 track left search teams to wonder whether she continued walking or got a ride from someone.
The search effort included using social media posts, a press conference, and a Citizen Alert notification in hopes of finding someone who may have seen Hendricks.
The search continued day and night until Hendricks was found. SAR teams used ground teams, K9’s, ATV’s, hasty rigs, and drones. Helicopters and fixed wing aircraft also searched the area.
Sgt. Richards said he is grateful for the outpouring of support shown by the local community.
“The neighbors were very willing to help,” he said. “They opened up their properties to searchers and some even brought food and water to us.”
He also wished to thank the staff and volunteers who assisted in the search, some of whom traveled from other counties.
The following agencies assisted JCSO SAR with the search effort: Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, Modoc County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Civil Air Patrol, Brim Aviation, Timberland Aviation, Mercy Flights, and the Emergency Communications Center of Southern Oregon (ECSO).
Case #19-21669
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UPDATE, 10/15/19 at 12:48 pm: SAR officials say Gerry was located on a forest road approximately 2 miles from her home. She was walking on the road when when SAR found her. She is cold and dehydrated but is in surprisingly good condition. She is being transported to the hospital by Mercy Flights helicopter for evaluation.
UPDATE, 10/15/19 at noon: Jackson County Sheriff’s Office search and rescue (SAR) personnel have located Geraldine “Gerry” Hendricks alive. She will be transported by ambulance to received medical treatment. Additional details will be released at later time.
UPDATE, 10/15/19 at 10:00 a.m.: SAR officials continue searching for Gerry this morning. The ground and air search, as well as the collateral investigation, are still underway. SAR would still like to hear from anyone who may have seen Gerry on Saturday, or since - 541-776-7206.
UPDATE, 10/14/19 at 5:50 p.m.: JCSO SAR staff and volunteers continue to search for Geraldine “Gerry” Hendricks Monday evening. SAR teams are using ground and air resources in the search. In a press conference earlier Monday, Sgt. Shawn Richards described the extensive search effort that has been underway since Hendricks was reported missing on Saturday. He said many resources are being utilized to search for Hendricks. He expressed optimism that the search will have a positive outcome. Detectives are assisting with interviewing witnesses and will follow any leads that come in. Sheriff Nathan Sickler thanked the local community as well as the numerous agencies and personnel who have supported the search.
UPDATE, 10/14/19 at 9:30 a.m.: SAR officials report no new developments in the search for Geraldine Hendricks, who remains missing this morning. Sergeant Shawn Richards will discuss the search at a press conference at 11 a.m. Tune in to local media for updates. We will provide an additional update later today.
UPDATE, 10/13/19 at 6:55 p.m.: Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) search and rescue (SAR) officials say search personnel covered a lot of ground Sunday, but have not located Geraldine “Gerry” Hendricks. The search will be scaled back after nightfall for safety reasons, but SAR personnel will remain there overnight.
Sunday’s search included SAR personnel from Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Klamath, Siskiyou, and Modoc counties, and personnel from the Oregon State Police and Oregon Fish and Wildlife. SAR teams searched with ground teams, K9’s, ATV’s, hasty rigs, and drones. A private fixed wing aircraft and Civil Air Patrol also checked the area from above.
Hendricks reportedly walked away from her home in the 4400-block of Obenchain Road after 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, October 12. SAR officials would like to hear from anyone who may have seen Hendricks on Saturday. Those with information can call dispatch at (541) 776-7206.
Refer to the information released previously for additional details and a description of Hendricks.
Release, 10/13/19 at 9:24 a.m.
BUTTE FALLS, Ore. — Reinforcements have arrived from regional search and rescue (SAR) organizations to assist in the search for a missing woman with dementia. Geraldine “Gerry” Hendricks, 80, was reported missing from her home on Saturday evening.
On October 12, 2019, at 6:44 p.m., dispatch received a call from Hendricks’ family in the 4400-block of Obenchain Road. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies and search and rescue personnel responded to initiate the search.
SAR personnel, including canine teams, searched through the night, but were hampered by darkness and terrain. Additional resources were deployed at daylight Sunday, ramping up the search effort.
Hendricks is described as 5’2”, 100 lbs., with short dark gray hair. She was last seen wearing a pink flannel long sleeve pajama set.
SAR officials believe Hendricks left her home on foot sometime after 6:15 p.m. Saturday. They would like to hear from anyone who may have seen her walking or given her a ride. Anyone with information can call dispatch at (541) 776-7206.
SAR officials thank everyone who has offered to respond to the area and help search; however, they ask people to stay clear of the area at this time so search teams can be managed effectively. If a need for additional searchers does arise, SAR officials will make a public request.
Assisting agencies include those that make up the California-Oregon Regional Search and Rescue (CORSAR) group, as well as the Oregon State Police. Air resources have also been dispatched to assist.
No further information is available for release at this time.
Case # 19-21669
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CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – A local mother was arrested Sunday after a crash that sent her two children to the hospital. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies suspect alcohol impairment contributed to the crash.
On October 13, 2019, at 1:55 p.m., dispatch received a 911 call reporting a rollover crash in the 2200-block of Kirtland Road, near the intersection with High Banks Road. The caller reported one person had been ejected from the white 2008 Toyota Tercel during the crash.
Deputies responded to the scene, along with personnel from Oregon State Police, Fire District 3, and Mercy Flights. Deputies say the driver, Amanda Leigh Knutson, 31, of Gold Hill, and her two sons, ages 6 and 10, were the occupants of the vehicle. The six-year-old was ejected from the vehicle during the crash.
All occupants were transported to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center with injuries. At the time of this release, the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Knutson was issued criminal citations for the following charges: driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII); assault in the third degree; recklessly endangering another person; and reckless driving. She was released to the care of the hospital to receive medical treatment. The case will be forwarded to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing. Anyone with information can call Deputy Ponder at (541) 774-6800.
Case #19-21731
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CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – A concert at the Jackson County Expo on Friday night will draw a large crowd. Drivers in the area can anticipate delays as vehicles leave after the concert. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies urge drivers to plan ahead and to be patient during the end-of-show egress.
Approximately 6,000 free tickets to the October 4, 2019, Macklemore show, sponsored by US Cellular, have already been distributed. VIP gates open at 5:30 p.m; general admission gates open at 6:00 p.m. The show starts at 7:00 p.m.
The Jackson County Expo is located at 1 Peninger Road, Central Point – near Interstate 5, exit 33. Parking is available in Expo lots only; vehicles are not allowed to park or stop along Peninger Road or Interstate 5. The area will be patrolled and vehicles found in violation will be towed.
Following the show, at approximately 10:20 p.m., Peninger Road will be closed to incoming traffic for over an hour to allow vehicles to exit the Expo parking lots. This is an important planning note for parents; vehicles will not be able to drive toward the Expo to pick up children or others after the concert.
Traffic will be directed one-way in both lanes on Peninger Road for vehicles leaving the Expo. Vehicles leaving the north parking lots will be routed north toward Upton Road. Vehicles leaving the south parking lots will be directed south toward Pine Street. Traffic signals at nearby intersections will be adjusted to allow vehicles to leave the event more efficiently.
In addition to assisting with traffic control, JCSO deputies will be focused on spotting impaired drivers. Deputies suggest carpooling and designating a sober driver for those who plan to consume alcohol at the event. They also remind everyone that smoking marijuana in public is prohibited by state law.
The event is sponsored by US Cellular. Click on the following link for more information about the concert: https://www.uscellular.com/about/press-room/2019/USCELLULAR_PRESENTS_FREE_MACKLEMORE_CONCERT_ON_OCTOBER_4_IN_CELEBRATION_OF_30_YEARS_OF_WIRELESS_SERVICE_IN_MEDFORD.html
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ROGUE RIVER, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies are investigating a shooting at a hemp farm just before noon on Friday. One man is in custody and another is recovering from a single gunshot wound to the arm.
On September 27, 2019, at 11:58 a.m., dispatch received a 911 call reporting a shooting at a property in the 1200-block of Pine Grove Road, north of the city of Rogue River. The caller reported that two people had been shot and were already on their way to the hospital in a private vehicle. The suspect, identified as Jeremy Odell O’Patchen, 34, had fled on foot toward his residence in the 500-block of Minthorne Road.
Responding deputies confirmed that only one person had been shot. Russell Anthony Clark, 55, of Talent, received a gunshot wound to the arm that did not appear to be life-threatening.
Deputies attempted to locate O’Patchen with assistance from personnel from the Rogue River Police Department and Oregon State Police. Rogue River High School, located approximately five miles from the scene, was used as a resource staging area, but had no further involvement in the incident.
Meanwhile, O’Patchen arrived at the JCSO main office in Central Point by private vehicle at 12:40 p.m. He was taken into custody without incident.
Deputies say O’Patchen had been involved in an ongoing property easement dispute with people at the Pine Grove Road property. Friday’s incident apparently began when O’Patchen walked onto the property without permission and engaged in a verbal altercation with people working at a hemp grow there. During the altercation, O’Patchen shot Clark in the arm.
O’Patchen will be lodged in jail Friday for attempted murder. Additional charges may be added; the investigation is ongoing. No further details are currently available for release.
Anyone with information about the incident can call the JCSO tip line at (541) 770-8333. Refer to case # 19-20570.
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CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives arrested a Central Point man Wednesday after serving a search warrant at his home. Armando Rangel Valle, 32, is lodged in the Jackson County jail on charges related to sharing images of child sexual abuse online.
On September 2, 2019, JCSO detectives were alerted to suspicious online activity by the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force. The DOJ had received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited children (NCMEC) regarding images of child sexual abuse that were uploaded by a Facebook user. Further investigation identified Valle as the suspect.
On the morning of September 25, detectives served a search warrant at Valle’s residence in the 700-block of Beall Lane. Detectives seized electronic devices and approximately one ounce of methamphetamine.
Valle was lodged in jail on four counts of encouraging child sexual abuse in the first degree, and one felony count of possession of methamphetamine. Bail at lodging was $47,500.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the JCSO tip line at (541) 770-8333. Refer to case #19-18593.
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WHITE CITY, Ore. – A man wanted on federal charges is now in jail after leading Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies on a pursuit. At one point, a deputy had to drive his patrol vehicle into a ditch to avoid a collision with the suspect.
On September 24, 2019, at 12:08 a.m., a deputy tried to stop a lifted black Ford F-350 pickup for multiple traffic violations in White City. The vehicle fled south on Highway 62, then turned toward the Corey Road area.
The vehicle turned onto McLoughlin Drive and then continued through the intersection with East Vilas Road without stopping. The pickup crashed into a tree and caused significant damage to the orchard. The suspect was able to free the vehicle and flee the crash scene, forcing an incoming JCSO vehicle to drive into a ditch to avoid a collision.
The pursuit continued for approximately 3.5 miles. An officer with the Central Point Police Department successfully used spike strips at the intersection of Table Rock Road and East Vilas Road. Three flattened tires disabled the pickup at the intersection of Table Rock Road and Orr Drive, stopping the pursuit.
"Pursuit intervention tools like spike strips are incredibly useful in stopping a fleeing suspect," said Sergeant Julie Denney. "We are thankful our partner agencies were there to help us stop this dangerous driver."
The driver tried to flee on foot, but was quickly captured. Deputies took the driver into custody and identified him as Andrew James Caucutt, Jr., 31, of Medford. Nobody else was in the vehicle.
Caucutt had a U.S. Marshals Service warrant for his arrest for a federal probation violation. He was lodged in jail on the warrant and new charges of attempting to elude police in a vehicle and on foot, reckless driving, and first degree criminal mischief. The case will be forwarded to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office to review for additional charges.
Deputies were assisted by personnel from the Medford Police Department, Central Point Police Department, and Oregon State Police.
Case #19-20315
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Update, 9/21/19 at 1:10 p.m.:
GRANTS PASS, Ore. – A man is in jail on multiple charges related to an attack on his family members in their home Friday night. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives say David Edward Hodges, 57, shot and killed his father-in-law and seriously injured his wife and his step-daughter.
On September 20, 2019, at 10:36 p.m., dispatch received a 911 call reporting a shooting at a residence in the 7000-block of Rogue River Highway. The caller, later identified as the suspect’s wife, Kristie Hodges, 40, reported an assault with a firearm. Gunshots could be heard in the background of the call before it disconnected.
Deputies responded to the location along with personnel from the Rogue River Police Department, Rogue River Fire, and Mercy Flights. Deputies called for the suspect to exit. When nobody came outside, deputies entered and found the body of Richard Carlton Rudolph, 64, with apparent gunshot and stab wounds. Deputies learned the suspect had fled the home and may be armed with a shotgun.
Deputies found Kristie Hodges in the home. She had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was transported by ambulance to Asante Three Rivers Medical Center. She was transferred to PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield for further treatment. She is in stable condition.
Kristie Hodges’ 16-year-old daughter sustained extensive blunt and sharp force injuries. She was transported by ambulance to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center for surgery, and then flown to Oregon Health & Science University. She is reportedly in serious but stable condition.
“When the deputies went into the home, they believed an armed suspect was still inside,” said Sergeant Julie Denney. “They showed incredible courage and their action helped the survivors to get much-needed medical treatment as soon as possible.”
JCSO K9 and SWAT personnel responded to assist deputies in the search for David Hodges, who had fled prior to deputies’ arrival. At approximately 2:00 a.m., a JCSO K9 team found Hodges hiding under a tree across the highway. Hodges sustained minor injuries from a dog bite as he was taken into custody. Hodges was not armed. Nobody else was injured.
Hodges was treated at Providence Medford Medical Center before being lodged in the Jackson County jail. Charges at lodging include murder, attempted murder, first degree assault, and unlawful use of a weapon. The case will be reviewed by the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office for additional charges.
The Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit (MADIU) is continuing the investigation. The task force includes investigators from JCSO, Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office, Medford Police Department, Ashland Police Department, Oregon State Police, and Jackson County District Attorney's Office.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the JCSO tip line at (541) 770-8333.
Original release, 9/21/19 at 6:28 a.m.:
GRANTS PASS, Ore. - Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating a homicide in the 7000-block of Rogue River Highway. The suspect is in custody.
Deputies were called to the location late Friday night, September 20, 2019, to investigate a report of an assault with shots fired. No further information is available at this time. An update is expected later today.
Case #19-20101
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Update 9/19/19 at 10:00 am: SAR personnel have located Short and his vehicle. He is in good condition and requires no further assistance.
Original release:
PROSPECT, Ore. - Jackson County Sheriff’s Office search and rescue (SAR) crews are searching for a missing bow hunter in the Abbott Creek area, north of Prospect.
On Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at 7:27 p.m. dispatch received a report of an overdue hunter. A family member reported Donovan Short, 55, went bow hunting in the area of Abbott Creek Campground on September 17. He had not checked in as expected. Family members are concerned that Short may not have his needed medications.
SAR officials responded to the area to begin the search. They would like to hear from anyone who may have seen Short since Tuesday.
Short is described as being five feet, nine inches tall, weighing 215 pounds. He has brown eyes, long brown hair, and a beard.
Short’s vehicle is a black 2005 Dodge Durango with black rims. A similar vehicle is attached to this release for reference.
Anyone with information is asked to call dispatch at (541) 776-7206. Case #19-19936.
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