Lane Co. Sheriff's Office

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News Release

Lane County Search & Rescue Wraps Up Busy June (Photo) -07/07/25

 
June was recently declared “Search & Rescue Month” by the governor of Oregon, and with good reason. With Oregon’s summer weather, more people head out to the rivers and trails – but sometimes aren’t prepared for the early summer conditions. Lane County Search & Rescue (SAR) deputies and volunteers stayed busy helping out.
 
On June 13th, patrol deputies responded to a vehicle crash into Cottage Grove Lake along London Road, south of Cottage Grove. Deputies were unable to find a vehicle but found signs of a crash. The SAR Dive Team responded and began searching the murky water in the dark. After an hour of methodical searching, they located the vehicle fully submerged but unoccupied. They continued their search, and thankfully located the driver on shore, unconscious but otherwise unscathed. Deputies determined the driver had fallen asleep, resulting in the crash. The driver was returned home, and the Dive Team assisted with the removal of the vehicle from the water by a tow company.
 
On June 17th, four people floating the Willamette River lost their inner tubes south of Springfield and became stranded on the bank. A Marine Patrol deputy responded and determined it would be best to rescue them by land. SAR volunteers escorted most of the involved out and carried one person out to a waiting ambulance due to a medical condition.
 
On June 18th, SAR responded to assist an elderly male who fell at Spirit Falls, west of Oakridge. He was head-first in a rocky area and may have been there for several days before other hikers discovered him. LifeFlight responded along with medics. Once SAR extricated him, medics provided immediate medical care and transported him to an area hospital.
 
On June 24th, SAR volunteers responded to Devil’s Canyon north of Oakridge to assist motorists with vehicle issues in an area too rugged for a tow service. They were able to start the vehicle and escort them out of the area.
 
On June 26th, SAR responded to Terwilliger Hot Springs to assist Oakridge Fire Department with a subject who needed to be carried out of the hot springs to a waiting ambulance for transport to an area hospital.
 
SAR volunteers assisted with other cases and attended several trainings in addition to these major calls.
 
Nearly every week, Lane County Sheriff's Search & Rescue volunteers assist our residents and visitors in all types of environments. Learn more about our Search & Rescue program or donate to their work at: www.lanecounty.org/government/county_departments/sheriff_s_office/volunteers/search_and_rescue

LCSO Case #25-2918 BODY FOUND IN MARCOLA -07/07/25

7/7/25 - UPDATE 

The deceased as been identified as Steve Dwaine Simmons, 66, of Marcola. Investigation by detectives determined the death was not suspicious.  

-- 

On June 21, 2025 Deputies responded to the report of a body that was found near the 92000 block of Marcola Rd. and close to the river. When deputies and Marcola Fire arrived they located a deceased male near the river at a makeshift camp. There were no obvious signs of suspicious activity. The medical examiners office was contacted and they took control of the deceased male. No further information will be released at this time due to the ongoing investigation and next of kin notifications.

7/1/25 - LCSO Case #25-3102 – Man Arrested Near Veneta After Firing Shots During Dispute (Photo) -07/03/25

 
On July 1st at about 6 a.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a dispute with shots fired in the 87300 block of Central Road, southeast of Veneta. Once on scene, deputies assisted a victim out of the residence. She did not have injuries from a firearm.
 
Deputies contacted a male, later identified as Kenneth William Davis, 29, of Eugene, who refused to exit the residence. Due to the report a firearm, additional deputies responded with an armored rescue vehicle for their safety.
 
Davis complied with instructions shortly after the armored rescue vehicle arrived, and was safely detained. A detective applied for and was granted a search warrant for the residence and located a firearm and additional evidence. Davis was arrested and lodged at the Lane County Jail on the following charges:
- Menacing
- Unlawful Use of a Weapon
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm
- Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon
Attached Media Files: Arrest - Veneta.png,

Cowboy Hats For Kids FIRST Center (Photo) -07/03/25

 
Over the past few years, Lane County Sheriff’s Office employees have raised funds for Kids FIRST, our local children’s advocacy center. After donating, employees could either grow beards or wear blue jeans, depending on their work assignment and uniform.
 
With the grooming policy potentially changing to allow beards soon, what started as a small “No Shave November” fundraiser and grew to raise over $13,000 each year, was going to end.
 
But we couldn’t let a good thing go, so – staff who choose to make a donation now have the option to wear cowboy hats!
 
Cowboy hats hold a deep historical significance for deputy sheriffs and law enforcement, particularly in the American West. Originating in the late 19th century, cowboy hats were practical gear for ranchers and frontiersmen, offering protection from the sun and elements.
 
As lawmen worked in similar rugged environments, the hat became part of their functional attire. Over time, it evolved into a recognizable symbol of professionalism, resilience, and tradition.
 
Today, the cowboy hat remains a proud emblem in many sheriff's offices, reflecting both heritage and a commitment to serve and protect with integrity in rural and frontier communities.
 
And in Lane County, they're more practical than ever. Our current ball caps don’t protect our deputy’s ears or necks from the summer sun, or the constant winter rain that inevitably soaks into everything without proper headgear.
 
So don’t be surprised when you see deputies out on patrol with the new headgear – and maybe even offer up a good old fashioned “howdy!”
 
If you’re not familiar with the incredible work that Kids FIRST does in our community, and how it is directly connected to the work our office is engaged in, check out www.kidsfirstcenter.net.
 
Want to join in and help support their amazing work? A custom donation page is setup at www.kidsfirstcenter.net/lcso or can be found as a link at the bottom of the website.
 

LCSO Case#25-2889 Sheriff's Office Arrests Online Sexual Predator -06/27/25

In May of 2025 the Sheriff’s Office began an investigation involving an adult male communicating with a minor on-line.  The resulting investigation revealed, Frank Dylan Hendricks, a 39-year-old male, engaged in illicit sexual conduct with the minor child on-line.

On June 25, 2025, the Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Cottage Grove Police Department, served a search warrant at the 2300 Block of East Main Street in Cottage Grove.

Frank Hendricks was contacted and arrested for:

  • Using a Child in Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct (ORS: 163.670)
  • Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the second degree (ORS 163.432)
  • Luring a Child (ORS 167.057)
  • Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the second degree (ORS 163.686)

Hendricks was lodged at the Lane County Jail.  The investigation is ongoing.  There are no further details available at this time.  Thank you to the Cottage Grove Police Department, who is a member of the Lane County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

This arrest is part of an ongoing effort by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable members of our community. Thanks to the many agencies who participate in the Lane County ICAC Task Force and collaborate to make this work possible.

If anyone has information regarding this case or additional victims, please contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4141 and reference case #25-2889.

LCSO Case #25-2886 DEPUTIES RESPOND TO AN ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING -06/20/25

On June 18, 2025 Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported shooting of a male in the 2800 block of Crocker Road. Once deputies arrived on scene they located a male who suffered a serious injury. Shortly after deputies were on scene the medics arrived and transported the male to the hospital where he is recovering. Through the investigation it was determined that this was an accidental shooting and there is no danger to the community at this time.

UPDATE: Wildfire Evacuation Near Mapleton (Photo) -06/20/25

The following areas are NOW under a Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation notice due to wildfire:

All areas of Rice Road near Mapleton.

All areas of Hillcrest Road near Mapleton.

 All areas of 1st Ave. near Mapleton

Level 1 means: Be aware of danger in your area.  

Attached Media Files: Level 1,

Life Jacket Exchange Returns To Springfield On June 14th (Photo) -06/09/25

 
Need to size up your growing child's life jacket for the summer? Come see the Lane County Sheriff's Search & Rescue on June 14th at the Springfield Elks Lodge!
 
Last year, the Springfield Elks Lodge purchased 250 life jackets to support every child in Lane County having access to a life jacket. This year, the fun continues! Bring your child and an outgrown, lightly used life jacket to exchange for a properly fitting life jacket. We will help check jackets for form, fit, and function. Exchanged life jackets will be inspected for safety and handed back out to other children. Leftover jackets will go to loaner stations around the county.
 
This event is first come, first served, and your child must be present for sizing.
 
The event will be held on Saturday, June 14th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Springfield Elks Lodge, 1701 Centennial Blvd, Springfield.
 
Thanks to the Springfield Elks Lodge for sponsoring and hosting this event!
 
Attached Media Files: LCSO Life Jacket Exchange.jpeg,