One Person Dies In Fatal Motorcycle Vs Truck Collision -06/06/25

On June 6, 2025, at approximately 1230 hours, Clark County Sheriff's Office Deputies along with Battle Ground Police responded to an injury collision at the intersection of NE 173rd Circle and NE 142nd Avenue. Dispatch advised the incident involved a pickup truck and a motorcycle. Preliminary investigation indicates the driver of the pickup truck was traveling southbound on NE 142nd Avenue and was making a left-hand turn onto NE 173rd Circle. The motorcyclist was traveling northbound on NE 142nd Avenue and struck the side of the pickup truck as it turned in front of him. The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced deceased at the scene.  The driver of the pickup truck stayed on scene and is cooperating with the investigation. The Clark County Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit is actively investigating the collision.

Clark County Sheriff Looking For Missing Elderly Woman (Photo) -05/23/25

Millie has been found by a volunteer citizen searching the area at 1:10 AM this morning, and is being connected with family. Clark County Sheriff wants to thank those who assisted in the search, including Battle Ground Police Department, Clark County Search and Rescue, Columbia County Search and Rescue, and unaffiliated citizen volunteers.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Clark County Sheriff's Office is asking for public assistance in locating a missing elderly woman from the Hockinson area.  Millie is a white female, 84 years old, 5'0 tall, 100 lbs, gray hair, hazel eyes, wearing eyeglasses.  She was last see around 2 PM today (5/22/2025) and last known to be wearing a lime green shirt and blue jeans.  She may forget her name and be confused.  If found, please call 911.

Update-Clark County Sheriff's Office Investigating A Reported Burglary That Led To Apparent Suicide -05/22/25

Update 5/22/25 5:10 pm

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office has concluded its investigations related to the April 23, 2025, incident.

The death investigation has been determined to be consistent with suicide. There is no evidence of foul play.

A separate investigation into allegations of sex offenses involving a juvenile found probable cause that Charles Gardiner committed the crimes of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor in the First Degree, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, and Possession of Depictions of a Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct. Investigators believe the inappropriate relationship had been ongoing for approximately six to nine months.

At this time, there is no evidence to suggest there are additional victims.

Due to Gardiner’s death, the case is being closed by exceptional clearance. To protect the privacy and well-being of the juvenile victim, no further details will be released.

Update 5/1/2025 2:00pm

The Clark County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the death and the circumstances regarding this incident. In the initial release, it was believed that deputies responded to a residential burglary. The caller had discovered Gardiner in the residence and got into a physical altercation with him before he fled. There is no indication that there was a residential burglary. The Sheriff's Office has split the incident into two investigations, the death investigation and a criminal investigation.

Evidence from the death investigation involving Gardiner is consistent with a suicide. 

The Sheriff's Office has opened a criminal investigation into several sex offenses believed to have been committed by Gardiner against a juvenile victim. 

Due to the sensitive nature of this investigation, additional details cannot be released at this time.

Update 4/25/2025 9:15am

The Clark County Sheriff's Office can confirm that the deceased person in this incident is Charles Gardiner, the Interim Chief of the Cowlitz Tribal Public Safety Department.

The Clark County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit is actively investigating this case, including the circumstances of why Gardiner was in the residence.

Due to the nature of this investigation, additional details cannot be released at this time. 

Additional updates will be released when more information is available.

On April 23^rd, at around 9:43 p.m., Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies responded to a report of an occupied residential burglary in the 9000 block of NE 79^th Street in Northeast Vancouver. The caller reported a male subject inside the residence. The male subject fled the residence on foot.

As deputies and other law enforcement officers searched the area, they located a vehicle with a deceased person inside matching the subject’s description. Evidence suggests the individual died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The CCSO Major Crimes Unit is investigating the incident.

One Person Dies In Fatal Collision -05/22/25

On May 21, 2025 at approximately 2124 hours Deputies from the Clark County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to an unknown injury collision near NW 78th Rd on NW 78th St. The collision involved two motor vehicles and a person driving an electric scooter.  The driver of the scooter was struck by both motor vehicles and died at the scene.  Both motor vehicles drivers stayed on scene and are cooperating with the investigation.  As of this time the decedent has not been identified. The Clark County Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit is investigating. 

2025 Clark County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony Scheduled For May 29 (Photo) -05/21/25

Clark County Sheriff's Office Releases 5/7/2025 Critical Incident Video -05/15/25

On May 7^th, 2025, the Clark County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) was involved in a deadly use-of-force incident. One deputy was placed on Critical Incident Leave. The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) is investigating the incident. 

Following a deadly use-of-force incident, the Clark County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) will release body-worn camera (BWC) video at the Sheriff's discretion. The release of these videos will be separate from the OII’s investigation. 

In compliance with WAC 139-12, Clark County Sheriff’s Office personnel will not be involved in the independent investigation. CCSO will conduct its administrative investigation/review after the OII 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 CCSO understands it to have occurred, according to the BWC video.  

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