UPDATE (Tuesday, Feb. 12) -- PHOTOS, SOUND BITES
Photos from today's press event are attached.
Sound-bite video featuring Oregon Governor Kate Brown and Sherwood High student Hailey Hardcastle can be downloaded from this Dropbox address:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ch5wdztcrxy28zl/2019-02-12-OTFSSPressEventSoundBites.mp4?dl=0
EARLIER (Tuesday, Feb. 12) -- GOVERNOR BROWN TO ATTEND; PRESS CONFERENCE NOW SET FOR CEREMONIAL ROOM
Oregon Governor Kate Brown will speak at press conference with members of the Oregon Task Force on School Safety, at a press conference Feb. 12 at 11:30 a.m. in the Governor’s Ceremonial Room at the Oregon State Capitol.
Media is invited to attend. The Oregon Task Force on School Safety just released its 2019 Report to the Legislature, outlining recommendations to improve school safety statewide, including legislation to fund the Oregon Safe to Learn Act (SB 584 and HB 2327).
At the press conference, media will hear from Gov. Brown and local high school students who are working towards creating safer schools along with leaders of the Oregon Task Force on School Safety.
PLEASE NOTE LOCATION CHANGE: This press conference will now be held in the Governor’s Ceremonial Room at the Oregon State Capitol.
Contact: Kim Lippert, Communications Specialist, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, 503-785-5016 or t@clackamas.us">klippert@clackamas.us
EARLIER (Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019) -- TASK FORCE ON SCHOOL SAFETY TO HOLD FEB. 12 PRESS CONFERENCE AT STATE CAPITOL; MEDIA INVITED
Task Force releases Report to Legislature, promotes new legislation to create Statewide School Safety and Prevention System
The Oregon Task Force on School Safety is set to release its 2019 Report to the Legislature. Media outlets are invited to attend a press conference scheduled for Feb. 12 at 11:30 a.m. at the Oregon State Capitol, where Task Force members will outline report recommendations, including proposed legislation establishing a Statewide School Safety and Prevention System.
"Our goal is to develop strategies to promote school safety and student wellness," said Sheriff Craig Roberts, who serves as the Chair of the Oregon Task Force on School Safety. "All Oregon students deserve to feel safe in school so they can learn and thrive."
The Oregon Task Force on School Safety has introduced bipartisan bills (SB 584 and HB 2327) that seek to fund the Oregon Safe to Learn Act. The legislation would establish a Statewide School Safety and Prevention System within the Oregon Department of Education, creating infrastructure to support all Oregon schools and Education Service Districts in three critical areas:
- Bullying and harassment prevention
- Youth suicide prevention and mental wellness
- Multidisciplinary safety assessment teams
"Our students are struggling with significant challenges, such as bullying and harassment, suicide and self-harm and a variety of threats of violence – all of these in unacceptable numbers," said Dr. Dave Novotney, Superintendent of the Willamette Education Service District and Co-Chair of the Oregon Task Force on School Safety. "Oregon schools need assistance to address these challenges in order to best support their students."
If the legislation passes, it would allow for 15 specialists statewide who will work directly with school districts to provide training and technical assistance in the three critical areas.
At the press conference, media will hear from students who are passionate about school safety and leaders of the Oregon Task Force on School Safety.
The Oregon Task Force on School Safety 2019 Report to the Legislature is attached and available as a PDF here: https://www.oregon.gov/osp/docs/2019-Legislative-Report-OTFSS.pdf
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Contact: Kim Lippert, Communications Specialist, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, 503-785-5016 or klippert@clackamas.us
Last month the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office continued to provide additional patrols in part of a national attempt to prevent impaired driver crashes. Deputies from Clackamas County were successful at removing 40 suspected impaired drivers from the roadways within our community.
This upcoming month, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office will continue to provide increased patrols with the emphasis on reducing impaired driver crashes.
The goal of these extra patrols: zero traffic fatalities during this month.
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office reminds Oregonians that everyone can play a role in preventing impaired drivers. If you or those around you drink alcohol and/or consume other impairing substances -- including marijuana -- please make responsible transportation plans. If you witness impaired driving, don’t hesitate to report it to your local authorities; it may save a life.
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Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is joining agencies throughout Oregon in a two-week "safety blitz" to enforce and educate the public about safety-belt and child-seat laws.
The "Oregon Safety Belt Overtime Enforcement Program" continues through Wednesday, Feb. 27. It uses federally funded overtime to allow for increased traffic enforcement, with a focus on seat belts, child restraints, distracted driving, and excessive speed.
The statewide effort was organized by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), in partnership with the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association (OSSA) and Oregon State Police (OSP).
Learn more about safety belts and child seats from ODOT at https://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Safety/Pages/Belts-Seats.aspx
THE STATS: SAFETY BELTS AND CHILD SEATS SAVE LIVES
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2015, seat belts saved an estimated 13,941 people from dying nationwide. From 2011 to 2015 seat belts saved nearly 64,000 lives -- enough people to fill a large sports arena. (An NHTSA seat-belt fact sheet is attached as a PDF.)
ODOT crash data for 2015 shows lack of safety-belt or child-restraint use was a factor in 79 of a total 289 (or 35% of) motor vehicle occupant fatalities.
Motor-vehicle crashes are the leading nationwide cause of death for children ages 1-12. In 2015, 1,353 children under age 9 were injured in Oregon traffic crashes; six children died.
It's estimated that car seats may increase crash survival by 71% for infants under 1 year old, and by up to 59% for toddlers ages 1-4. And booster seats may reduce the chance of nonfatal injury among 4- to 8-year-olds by 45% compared to safety belts used alone.
Safety belts, used correctly, can reduce the risk of major crash injury or death by up to 65%. ODOT estimates that at least half of those who died unbelted in 2015 -- 40 persons -- could have been saved if everyone used safety belts and child-safety systems on every trip.
THE LAW: CHILD-SEAT SAFETY
Oregon law now requires that children under age 2 use a child seat with harness in a rear-facing position, unless the child turned 1 year of age prior to May 26, 2017.
A child over age 2 (or who turned 1 year of age prior to May 26, 2017) must continue to ride in a car seat with harness or in a booster until they reach age 8 or 4'9" in height and the adult belt fits them correctly.
Adherence to the law better protects the child's head, neck and spine from potential crash injuries.
HELP WITH CHILD CAR SEATS
For help selecting or installing car seats, consult the seat manufacturer's instructions, your vehicle owner's manual, or visit a local child-seat fitting station listed here: http://oregonimpact.org/car-seat-resources.htm
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UDPATE (Feb. 6, 2019) -- INVOLVED DEPUTIES CLEARED BY GRAND JURY TO RETURN TO DUTY
On Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, a Clackamas County Grand Jury determined that the Jan. 19 shooting death of Mark Gago by deputies was justified.
The deputies have been on administrative leave during the course of the investigation that was conducted by the Clackamas County Major Crimes Team, including investigators from Canby Police, Oregon State Police, and the Clackamas County District Attorney's Office.
The deputies will be returning to duty as requirements for that transition (as stipulated by Senate Bill 111) are met.
The deputies who used their firearms during this incident are:
- Deputy Hayden Sanders
- Deputy Tanner Davis
- Deputy Ryan Castro
- Deputy Nate Ariel
All are five-year veterans of the Sheriff’s Office.
Further review of the incident will be conducted by the Critical Incident Review Board to determine if any policy improvements or lessons learned can be made -- a review that occurs in all officer involved shootings.
NOTE TO MEDIA: Please contact the acting PIO by email only at iffpio@clackamas.us">sheriffpio@clackamas.us with any follow-up questions.
EARLIER (Jan. 22, 2019, 2:48 p.m.) -- CAUSE OF DEATH
The Oregon State Medical Examiner has completed the autopsies of the four victims in the Jan. 19 quadruple homicide.
The four victims died of homicidal violence. Weapons used in the murders include an axe and knives. Sharp-force trauma was the cause of death for three of the victims, and a combination of blunt-force trauma and sharp-force trauma was the cause of death for the male victim, Jerry Bremer.
The investigation continues. Detectives continue to process evidence and conduct interviews. This includes pending interviews of the involved deputies and construction of a detailed timeline of events leading up to the murders and officer-involved shooting.
EARLIER (Jan. 21, 2019) -- FAMILY STATEMENTS
Statement from Tracy Burbank:
"I appreciate all the support I have received in the last few days. I ask that you please respect my privacy while I look for a way to move on with my life. I will not be accepting any requests from the media for statements or interviews. Please allow me the time and space to heal and move forward."
Statement from the family of Hailey Grimm:
"We want to thank the public for the out pouring of love and support you have shown for Hailey. Your thoughts and kind words have been a great comfort to her. We are now, turning our focus to Hailey’s care and treatment and ask you to please respect her privacy as she starts down her path to healing.
We ask that if you have further questions about this incident or about Hailey that you direct them to the police who are working on the case. We plan on devoting our energies now on taking care of Hailey and helping her move forward.
Again we want to thank everyone who has kept Hailey in their thoughts and prayers and we appreciate all of the love and support. We will not be accepting any further requests for statements or interviews at this time."
EARLIER (Jan. 20, 2019) -- Sheriff's Office responds to quadruple homicide on S. Barlow Road; suspect killed, child saved in officer-involved shooting
Please reference CCSO Case # 19-001568
Photos:
- August 2018 booking photo: Multiple-murder suspect Mark Leo Gregory Gago, 42, of Woodburn
- Sheriff's Office at crime scene: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ]
At approximately 10:15 p.m. on Saturday Jan. 19, 2019, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a multiple-homicide/domestic-violence call on the 32000 block of S. Barlow Road, in unincorporated Woodburn.
Deputies arrived at the scene. They encountered the suspect -- Mark Leo Gregory Gago, 42, of Woodburn -- as he was attempting to kill a young girl.
Deputies used deadly force on Gago, saving the girl's life.
No deputies were injured in the incident.
Four others were found deceased at the scene. The homicide victims ranged in age from 9 months to 66 years old.
At this writing there are two survivors -- including the girl saved by quick deputy action.
The suspect and four homicide victims all resided at the S. Barlow Road address. The victims are identified as:
- Olivia Lynn Rose Gago, 9 months old, of Woodburn
- Shaina E. Sweitzer, 31 years old, of Woodburn
- Jerry William Bremer, 66 years old, of Woodburn
- Pamela Denise Bremer, 64 years old, of Woodburn
The Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer (PIO) held a press briefing at 7 a.m. on Jan. 20 at the intersection of Hwy. 211/S. Barlow Rd. No additional briefings are scheduled at this writing.
South Barlow Road was closed between Hwy. 211 and S. Schneider Rd. as detectives and CSI personnel processed the scene. The road was re-opened at approximately 11 a.m. Please drive carefully as Investigators are still processing the crime scene.
An August 2018 booking photo of suspect Mark Leo Gregory Gago is linked above, along with additional photos from the scene.
The involved deputies have been placed on leave pending an investigation of the deadly-force incident -- standard procedure in the wake of an officer-involved shooting.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SOUGHT
Anyone with information on Mark Gago or the events that led up to this horrific crime is urged to contact the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Tip Line -- by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online email form at https://web3.clackamas.us/contact/tip.jsp -- please reference CCSO Case # 19-001568.
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UPDATE: MEDIA OPPORTUNITY SET FOR 5 p.m. TODAY
Interested media outlets can speak with Tiffany Taylor at 5 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 1) at the YMCA Development Center (17395 SE. Webster Rd., Gladstone). [ map ]
EARLIER (Feb. 1, 1:24 p.m.) -- SHERIFF'S OFFICE SEEKS TIPS AFTER HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER INJURES GUIDE DOG; INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE
Please reference CCSO Case #19-002406
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is seeking tips after a hit-and-run driver struck and injured a guide dog on Jan. 29.
At about 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019, Tiffany Taylor and her guide dog Sapphire were crossing SE Monterey Ave. in a crosswalk near the Clackamas Town Center. An unknown vehicle struck Sapphire as she led Ms. Taylor across the street.
The vehicle missed Taylor, but Sapphire sustained severe head trauma and a leg injury.
Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the scene, and quickly transported Sapphire and Tiffany to a local animal hospital. Sapphire remains under the care of staff at the hospital; the dog is currently sedated, and veterinarians are reportedly working to save Sapphire's leg.
Ms. Taylor is visually impaired and depends on Sapphire for mobility. Sapphire is a 4-year-old Golden Labrador, and has served as Tiffany’s guide dog for about a year. Sapphire was provided to Taylor by Guide Dogs for the Blind.
A photo of Ms. Taylor and Sapphire is attached.
TIPS SOUGHT
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public's help to locate the suspect vehicle and driver who hit Sapphire and fled the scene.
Anyone with information on the crime -- which occurred around 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29 -- is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 503-723-4949 or by using the online tip form at https://web3.clackamas.us/contact/tip.jsp . Please reference CCSO Case #19-002406.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY
Tiffany Taylor is willing to speak to local media outlets. To contact her, please email the acting PIO at iffpio@clackamas.us">sheriffpio@clackamas.us . NOTE TO MEDIA: Please contact the acting PIO by email only.
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Please reference CCSO Case # 19-002026
Just after 7:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office deputies, Sandy Fire personnel, and members of the Clackamas County Water Rescue Consortium responded to a report of a vehicle upside-down in North Fork Deep Creek, near SE Revenue Road and SE Orient Drive in Boring.
Upon arrival, first responders located the vehicle, a silver 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, upside-down in the creek. Its sole occupant and driver -- later identified as William L. Snyder, 78, of Boring -- was located deceased in the vehicle.
The vehicle only had front-end damage. At this writing, authorities believe the Jeep had been traveling north on SE Orient Drive and then, as it approached the intersection with SE Revenue Road, the Jeep traveled into the southbound lane of SE Orient Drive. Tire marks found at the scene suggest the Jeep could not negotiate the turn and drove off the road, down a short embankment, and crashed into the creek.
At this writing it is unclear what caused the Jeep to travel into the southbound lane of SE Orient.
Family notifications have been completed.
Photos from the crash scene are attached.
ADDITIONAL INFO SOUGHT
Anyone with information about events leading to this fatal crash is urged to contact the Sheriff's Office Tip Line -- by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online email form at https://web3.clackamas.us/contact/tip.jsp . Please reference CCSO Case # 19-002026.
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