Clark Co. Sheriff's Office
Emergency Messages as of 2:18 pm, Thu. Mar. 28
No information currently posted.
Subscribe to receive FlashAlert messages from Clark Co. Sheriff's Office.
Primary email address for a new account:

  
And/or follow our FlashAlerts via Twitter

About FlashAlert on Twitter:

FlashAlert utilizes the free service Twitter to distribute emergency text messages. While you are welcome to register your cell phone text message address directly into the FlashAlert system, we recommend that you simply "follow" the FlashAlert account for Clark Co. Sheriff's Office by clicking on the link below and logging in to (or creating) your free Twitter account. Twitter sends messages out exceptionally fast thanks to arrangements they have made with the cell phone companies.

Click here to add Clark Co. Sheriff's Office to your Twitter account or create one.

@ClarkCoSheriff

Hide this Message


Manage my existing Subscription

News Releases
Clark County Crisis System
Clark County Crisis System
Clark County Sheriff's Office sees success with Co-Responder Program in first 90 days (Photo) - 03/26/24

In December 2023, Sea Mar Community Health Centers launched the Co-Responder Program with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). The program intends to assist Clark County Deputies, often called to respond to community members in crisis with underlying behavioral health issues. The program was modeled after successful programs currently utilized by other law enforcement agencies in Washington, including the Vancouver Police Department. 

Co-responders include dedicated behavioral health professionals available for direct scene responses or phone consultations with deputies dispatched to calls involving people in crisis. If they respond to the scene, Co-responders can make assessments, share a more profound knowledge of available community resources, and coordinate care with other providers. Deputies can work alongside Co-responders and, if needed, will stay on the scene to ensure the safety of all involved. Depending on the situation, Co-responders may continue the intervention without the deputy, allowing the deputy to return to service.   

The goals of this program include addressing behavioral health crisis needs for individuals in Clark County with an appropriate and timely response, including 911 calls and referrals from Mental Health Professionals and Peers. The program intends to provide options for interventions and dispositions in the crisis response system for calls that are routed through 911 and provide increased capacity to CCSO Deputies by allowing for a behavioral health response team to remain on a call as the disposition while the CCSO deputy can re-deploy. 

Data from the program's first three months indicate regular use by CCSO Deputies, with an average of approximately 16 calls per month to Co-responders.

Data from the first 90 days of the Co-Responder Program:

 Calls Calls turned to outreach Avg. min. from the start of the call to arrival on the scene 
December 2023 19 11 33 
January 2024 24 
February 2024 19 11 33 
TOTAL 47 25 30 

Acceptance of the resources provided by Co-responders is voluntary and at the discretion of the person in crisis. Deputies continue to investigate whether criminal legal actions would be appropriate or whether the person in crisis meets the criteria for police detainment under the Involuntary Treatment Act. 

"I firmly believe that our Co-Responder Program, uniting law enforcement with mental health professionals, is not just a partnership but a lifeline for our community. It's not only about enforcing the law; it's about ensuring compassion and understanding prevail in moments of crisis,” said Clark County Sheriff John Horch. “This program is essential in bridging the gap between justice and mental health care, reaffirming our commitment to safety and well-being for all.” 

Carelon Behavioral Health is funding the pilot program, and Sea Mar Community Health Centers is providing the program. Carelon Behavioral Health and funds from the Clark County Mental Health Sales Tax will collaboratively fund the program in the future. The Clark County Council recently allocated these specialized tax funds to the 2024 Annual Budget. 

The following are summaries of calls and outcomes from the first three months of the Co-Responder Program: 

  • Deputies responded to a call for a pregnant, suicidal woman with mental health issues.  Co-responders attempted to de-escalate the situation, but she was uncooperative. They assisted deputies in the determination to place her on a police hold.  The woman was uncooperative and was transported to a hospital.  The Co-responders assisted with documentation and communication.  The woman’s family was grateful for the response, believing the first responders saved her from killing herself and her unborn child. 
  • Deputies responded to a suicide attempt in the lobby of a mental health clinic. The individual had previously been under a police hold and had been transported to the clinic but did not meet the acceptance criteria. Co-responders arrived and helped assess the situation to determine whether a police hold was the best option and communicated with hospital staff. 
  • Deputies contacted a woman living in a vehicle and refused to remove it from a Hazel Dell neighborhood despite months of complaints from citizens and warnings from police. Co-responders contacted the woman to help her with housing options. Following that contact, the vehicle left the area. 
  • Deputies and Co-responders arrived at a scene to assist a woman who wanted to go to treatment. Co-responders provided her with a planning session to help in her detox and mental health treatment. 

If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, community resources can be reached through 988 at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or through the Southwest Washington Crisis Line at 1-800-626-8137

About Carelon Behavioral Health 

As the only national organization to serve as a Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization (BHASO) in Washington State, Carelon Behavioral Health oversees a safety net that provides crisis services, mental health, and substance use disorder services (MH/SUD), and housing subsidies to qualified residents. Serving more than 1.6 million residents across eight counties, Carelon Behavioral Health delivers high-quality, culturally competent, cost-effective, and community-based care regardless of insurance status or income level. Our services take a person-centered approach to care, including assessment, intervention, and stabilization efforts promoting resiliency, rehabilitation, and recovery.  

About Sea Mar Community Health Centers 

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational, and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar’s network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services, including Mobile Crisis services in Clark County since 2018. 

Attached Media Files: Clark County Crisis System
Update-3/25-Arrests Made-CCSO Investigates Burglary/Murder in Hockinson area - 03/25/24

Media contact was not updated in the previous release. Please contact SGT Chris Skidmore if needed.


Update 3/25/2024 10:00am

On March 24th, 2024, as the Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Major Crimes Unit (MCU) detectives continued their murder investigation, a tip was provided to law enforcement about the potential murder suspect. 

The investigation led to the arrest of Darrell Riley, age 55, by the Eugene Police Department in Eugene, Oregon. Darrell is being held on a Temporary Felony Warrant for Murder in the First Degree, requested by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.  He will remain in custody in Oregon while the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office seeks extradition.

The stolen Ford F-150 from this incident was recovered in a rural part of Benton County, Oregon. The vehicle was damaged by fire, which appears likely to have been intentionally set to destroy evidence of the murder.

While official identification will come from the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office, CCSO has identified the deceased as Lindy Rummell, age 60, of Brush Prairie, WA.

The investigation revealed that the victim’s husband, James Rummell, was friends with Darrell Riley. It appeared that James had driven to Eugene, picked Darrell up, and brought him back to Clark County earlier in the day before the murder. After a second search warrant was served on the Rummell residence, James Rummell was booked into the Clark County Jail for Making False Statements to a Public Servant. Additional charges are possible as James Rummell is being considered a suspect in this murder. It appears James may have solicited Darrell to stage what appeared to be an interrupted burglary to commit the murder of Lindy Rummell. 

This case remains an active investigation.


On March 23rd, 2024, at 6:54 PM, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a report of a female shot inside a residence in the 18000 block of NE 119th St. She was located by her husband and two friends arriving at the house.  CCSO deputies arrived and found the adult female deceased inside the residence with apparent gunshot wounds.

A 2001 black Ford F-150, with Washington license plates, “C73655Y” was reported stolen from the scene.  A previously taken picture of the vehicle is attached. If located, the occupants of the vehicle should be considered armed and dangerous.  Please call 911 and do not approach the vehicle.

The circumstances of the female’s death are actively being investigated by CCSO Major Crimes Unit and limited information is being released at this time. The identity of the deceased is not being released at this time.

Arrest Made in Suspicious Death Investigation from January in Washougal - 03/22/24

On January 8th, 2024, at 4:27 am, the Camas-Washougal Fire Department (CWFD) and Washougal Police Department (WPD) responded to a residence on 34th Street in Washougal, WA, for an adult female in medical distress.  Kevin West (49) reported that his wife, Marcelle (Marcy) West (48), was having a seizure.  Within minutes, he advised the dispatcher that she had stopped breathing and that he was initiating CPR. Medics arrived and attempted life-saving measures, but resuscitation efforts were not successful. Marcy West’s time of death was pronounced at 5:11 am. WPD and the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office began a death investigation.

In the following days, several people contacted local authorities with concerns about Kevin and Marcy’s potential relationship issues and worries that her death may not have been natural. The autopsy revealed indications of trauma to Marcy’s neck. A criminal investigation was initiated.

On January 11th, 2024, WPD Detectives met with Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Detectives and briefed them about the initial incident and their investigation. WPD requested that CCSO take over the criminal investigation to avoid any possible conflicts of interest, as Kevin West is employed by the Camas-Washougal Fire Department. Based on those concerns, CCSO took over the investigation from WPD. 

Over the next several weeks, CCSO MCU Detectives began conducting interviews with collateral witnesses and interviewed Kevin West multiple times. They reviewed body-worn camera (BWC) footage from the WPD officers who responded to the scene and reviewed photos from the original death investigation. Detectives learned that Marcy and Kevin were alone at the residence at the time of Marcy’s death.

On January 31st, 2024, MCU Detectives served search warrants to conduct searches of the West residence, cell phones, and online service providers.

Detectives continued their investigation of information obtained through the search warrants while awaiting a determination on a cause of death by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office. Through their investigation, Detectives learned that Kevin and Marcy were experiencing marital and financial problems. Based on a comparison of interviews with Kevin and the evidence found at the house and contained in Kevin and Marcy’s cellphones, it appears that Kevin had given detectives contradictory statements. 

On March 20th, 2024, the medical examiner declared the Cause of Death as Asphyxia with blunt trauma to the neck and the Manner of Death as Homicide. On March 22nd, 2024, CCSO MCU Detectives arrested Kevin West and booked him into the Clark County Jail on a charge of Murder in the 1st Degree. The investigation is active and ongoing.

3/13/24 Update- Clark County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) investigate utility trailer thefts - 03/13/24

Update 3/13/2024 07:00 AM

On 2/27/2024, Clark County Sheriff's Office Tactical Detective Unit (TDU) Detectives requested additional information from the public related to an investigation involving the theft of multiple trailers.

As a result of their request for additional information, Detectives Brown and Page were able to identify 17 possibly related trailer theft cases that stretched from Woodland, WA, to Salem, OR, and from Astoria, OR, to Bend, OR, totaling at least $181,000 in stolen trailers. 

In Clark County, the suspect has been arrested and charged with 5 counts of Trafficking Stolen Property in the First Degree, 4 counts of Theft in the First Degree, 2 counts of Burglary in the Second Degree, 1 count of Forgery, and 1 count of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle. 

Detectives have been in contact with other agencies outside of our jurisdiction, and additional charges are expected for crimes committed in those jurisdictions. 

Please note that the vehicles pictured in the original release are no longer associated with the suspect.


Detectives with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) are investigating a suspect for stealing numerous utility trailers and selling them on social media in the Portland Metro area and Southwest Washington. Initial estimates indicate that he has been actively stealing trailers in our area for over a year and has been selling the stolen trailers.  

During the investigation, CCSO Detectives obtained search warrants for several locations, recovering property stolen in multiple theft cases.     

Although the suspect has been arrested on several of these trailer thefts, the investigation is still ongoing.  Pictures and messages on his cell phone indicate he has sold numerous stolen trailers, and Detectives are working to locate them.  The suspect is associated with addresses in Gresham, OR, and Battle Ground, WA.  When selling the trailers online, he uses the aliases WebbJJ, Joshua James, and Joshua J. Webb.  He has been known to forge titles and other paperwork, using these aliases when selling the trailers. 

The suspect is associated with a lifted white 2011 Dodge Ram full-sized pickup truck with blue lighting under the vehicle and front wheel well.  He is also associated with a tan full-sized Chevy/GMC SUV, also lifted with black wheels. These vehicles have been used to steal several trailers. Please see the attached pictures of his vehicles.  

If you have evidence indicating these vehicles are involved in a trailer theft or if you purchased a trailer from the suspect in this case, please contact CCSO TDU Detectives Brown and Page for additional information.  

dan.brown@clark.wa.gov

elijah.page@clark.wa.gov

Highway 99
Highway 99
CCSO investigating an injured pedestrian in Hazel Dell (Photo) - 03/07/24

On 3/7/20234 at approximately 8:49 AM, Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) along with Fire District 6 and AMR responded to an injured person found near the 6500 block of NE Highway 99.  An adult male was located and transported to a hospital with serious injuries.  The circumstances and causes of the injuries are being investigated by the Major Crimes Unit and Traffic Unit. 

Anyone who witnessed an injured adult male in the area overnight is asked to report it to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office through CRESA or by calling the MCU tip line at 564-397-2847.

 

Attached Media Files: Highway 99
Denny Hunter, Distinguished Service Award
Denny Hunter, Distinguished Service Award
Clark County Sheriff's Office Holds Annual Awards & Recognition Ceremony (Photo) - 03/06/24

CCSO Recognizes Exceptional Service by Awarding the Purple Heart Medal, Medal of Merit, Life-Saving Medals, and Other Prestigious Honors.

(Please see attached press release for more information)

Clark County Sheriff's Office Releases Critical Incident Video from 2/20/2024 - 02/29/24

Update: 2-29-20 5:20pm

In conjunction with the previous video release and the release of names from the Southwest Washington Independent Investigative Response Team (SWIIRT), we are identifying the deputies in the video as follows:

Deputy 1: Deputy Forrest Gonzalez 

Deputy 2: Sergeant Tom Yoder 

Deputy 3: Deputy Holly DeZubiria 

Deputy 4: Sergeant Jeff Ruppel 

Deputy 5: Deputy Isaac Henrikson 


On February 20, 2024, the Clark County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) was involved in a deputy-involved shooting. Five deputies were on scene at the time of the incident, and all five were wearing body-worn cameras (BWC). Three deputies discharged their firearms. Two deputies witnessed the incident.

On 6/20/2023, in a unanimous vote, the Clark County Council authorized the County Manager to sign a five-year contract with Axon Enterprises that provided Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs) and vehicle cameras for the Sheriff's Office.

Following a deputy-involved shooting, the Clark County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), at the discretion of the Sheriff, will release body-worn camera (BWC) videos of the incident. The release of these videos will be separate from the Independent Investigation Team's (IIT) investigation.

The independent investigation of this incident is being conducted by the Southwest Washington Independent Investigative Response Team (SWIIRT), led by the Vancouver Police Department. The Clark County Sheriff's Office is not involved in the deputy-involved shooting investigation. CCSO will conduct its administrative investigation/review after the SWIIRT investigation is completed. 

The Critical Incident Video can be viewed on the CCSO Body-Worn Camera Page.

The Sheriff's Office cannot comment on the video release or the ongoing investigation. The video's release is meant to provide visual context of the incident, as it is understood to have occurred at this time by CCSO, according to the BWC video. The video does not encompass the complete context of all recordings captured by all five body cameras.

Please be aware that the video contains graphic imagery, and viewer discretion is strongly advised.