On Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at approximately 4:30 p.m. Multnomah County Sheriff's Office River Patrol deputies responded to the report of a body seen floating in the Columbia River near the east tip of McGuire Island. A boater near the island spotted the body and called the report in. Multnomah County Sheriff's Office River Patrol deputies responded along with Portland Fire Bureau and recovered the body of a deceased adult male, identified as Brian Louis Schmitz, Age 52, of Sandy, OR. MCSO River Patrol Deputies transported the body to Chinook Landing. MCSO detectives and the Medical Examiner were notified and responded. The body was turned over to the Multnomah County Medical Examiner's Office. The Medical Examiner ruled Cause of Death as Drowning and Manner of Death Accidental.

Brian Schmitz was reported missing after his boat was found adrift on Sunday morning September 11, 2016 on the Columbia River with no-one on board. The US Coast Guard, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Port of Portland Fire, Portland Fire Bureau, and Vancouver Fire aided in search efforts and assisted in recovery of the boat that morning.

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue will begin enrollment this week in its annual Search and Rescue (SAR) program - open to those interested in offering their time to become part of this all volunteer organization. MCSO SAR welcomes all skill levels including those with little or no outdoor experience. An orientation meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016 and again on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at Menlo Park School located at 129000 N.E. Glisan St. Portland, OR 97230.

Those who enroll in the SAR training program will become members of the MCSOSAR tradition, becoming members of an active search and rescue team that is regularly called to find the lost and care for the injured in the Columbia River Gorge, throughout Multnomah County, and around the state of Oregon. The program will accept volunteers over the age of 14, in good health, who are able to pass a background check. Middle and high school students must be making sufficient progress toward their diploma.

The 9-month program offers training and experience in current search and rescue techniques and culminates in Oregon State Search and Rescue certification. After the first month of training, new members will be able to participate in some searches. After just a few months, they can participate in all search types.

Key elements of SAR training include search techniques; wilderness awareness; outdoor survival skills; evidence identification and crime scene preservation; land navigation using GPS, map and compass; medical assessment and first aid.

This program is unique in that it is specifically youth oriented and provides an opportunity for those under 18 to hold leadership positions within the unit. All ages work side by side during training, missions, and events.

Those interested in joining are encouraged to attend either of the orientation nights. Questions can be emailed to info@mcsosar.org or check out the website at www.mcsosar.org for more information.

MCSOSAR Recruitment flyer attached.

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office River Patrol Deputies responded shortly after 6:00 am to a call of a boat floating down the Columbia River with no-one on board. The US Coast Guard, Port of Portland Fire, Portland Fire Bureau,and Vancouver Fire aided in the retrieval of the boat and towing to nearby Chinook Landing. USCG is still searching the river and shoreline.

An update will be provided when more information is available.