MEDIA RELEASE | Wanted Man Arrested In Rural Sheridan (Photo) - 11/03/26

On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office was provided information from Klamath County Parole and Probation that a male with multiple warrants for his arrest was reportedly at a residence off SW Thunderhead Ln in rural Sheridan. The male was identified as Jacob Busch, 42 years old. Yamhill Communications Agency (YCOM) confirmed multiple warrants for Busch, including one from the Oregon State Parole Board, one from Lincoln County, and one from Morrow County. There was additional information provided that Busch was likely to be in possession of weapons and had indicated threats toward law enforcement.

Yamhill County Sheriff’s deputies were able to establish a secure perimeter around the property and maintain observation. After confirming that Busch was present, and due to information provided about his potential actions toward law enforcement, additional tactical resources were requested from Oregon State Police's SWAT team, as well as a drone pilot from McMinnville Police Department.

Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit detectives assisted by drafting an affidavit in support of a search warrant, which was granted for the property where Busch was located. SWAT team members approached the property where YCSO deputies were still holding a perimeter and Busch attempted to flee the area on foot. He was quickly apprehended and taken into custody with no injuries to himself or to any law enforcement. Busch was taken to Yamhill County Correctional Facility, where he has been lodged.

The significant presence of law enforcement vehicles on NE Cherry Hill Road prompted community concern and inquiries about the safety of local schools. I want to assure everyone that all relevant information was continuously evaluated and, due to the location being well outside the city and not in any proximity to the schools, as well as having an established perimeter around the property, there was no threat or disruption to schools in the area. Throughout the operation, multiple members of YCSO, including myself, were in contact with members of the Sheridan School District, both by phone and in person. Information related to disruptions to afternoon bus service was communicated by Sheridan School District.

I would like to thank my staff who spent several hours ensuring the safety of everyone involved and thank the Oregon State Police for sending additional resources to Yamhill County to bring this case to a successful resolution.

MEDIA ADVISORY | Media Briefing On Helicopter Collision At 6 Pm (Photo) - 10/30/26

Sheriff Sam Elliott and members of the National Transportation Safety Board will hold a media briefing at 6:00 pm today, Friday, October 30, 2026. The briefing will be held at the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office (535 NE 5th Street, McMinnville) in front of the flag pole.

Following the media briefing, updates will be posted to FlashAlert and social media.

McMinnville (OR) Helicopter Collision (Photo) - 10/29/26

On October 29, 2026, at approximately 2:10 p.m., witnesses reported to Yamhill Communications Agency (YCOM)that two helicopters had crashed near the intersection of SE Amity-Dayton Highway (Highway 233) and SE Cruickshank Road, southeast of McMinnville. Deputies from Yamhill County Sheriff's Office, officers from McMinnville Police Department, and troopers from the Oregon State Police McMinnville Area Command responded to the scene.

Responding personnel located a 1995 Robinson R22 helicopter and a 2018 Airbus AS350B3 helicopter crashed in a field adjacent to Highway 233. Medical and law enforcement personnel confirmed there were two occupants in the Robinson helicopter and one occupant in the Airbus. All three were deceased.

The occupants of the Robinson R22 were identified as flight instructor Maddie Aasbo, 22, of Texas, and a student pilot from the United Kingdom, whose identity is being withheld pending next of kin notification. The sole occupant of the Airbus AS350B3 was identified as Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38, of Newberg.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) responded immediately to the scene and are leading the ongoing investigation into the crash.

Yamhill County Sheriff's Office extends its condolences to the families and friends of Ms. Aasbo and Mr. Sturdevant.

Active Investigation - McMinnville Area Aviation Crash - 10/29/26

At 2:14 p.m., the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office received a report of two helicopters that collided in the air near SE Highway 154 (Lafayette Highway) and SE Stringtown Road southeast of McMinnville. 

Local law enforcement, fire, and medical responders are on scene. At this time, we do not have information to share about the number or condition of the pilots or passengers of either aircraft. We are in communication with the FAA and NTSB, as ultimately, they will be the investigating agencies.

Roadways around the crash site are currently closed. We are asking the community to keep clear of the area.

We will share additional information as it becomes available. In the meantime, we ask for your patience as we respond to this critical incident.

Ultralight Aircraft Crash Results In Fatality (Photo) - 10/13/26

On October 12, 2026, a little before 4:30 pm, Yamhill Communications Agency was notified of a plane crash at the Chehalem Airpark in rural Newberg. The information relayed to the Sheriff’s Office was that a small ultralight aircraft crashed near the airpark. Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue and Dundee Fire Department responded with Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office. LifeFlight also responded to the crash, landing a helicopter near the Airpark.
 

The sole occupant and pilot of the ultralight had self-extricated from the aircraft before the arrival of emergency responders. Despite extensive efforts, the pilot died from his injuries. He is identified as 58-year-old Trevor Gray-Ingram of Vancouver, WA.  
 

The crash was witnessed and captured on video. That video was reviewed by the Sheriff’s Office and turned over to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). A representative from the FAA, as well as one from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), responded to the scene.
 

The information that we have confirmed so far is the ultralight took off from the Chehalem Airpark and had flown around the area before the crash, which took place during a landing attempt. The location of the crash was just off the Airpark property in a privately owned field. There were no other injuries or damage to any structures because of the crash.
 

The Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our condolences to Mr. Gray-Ingram’s family and friends.