Willamette Valley First Responder Chaplains

06/10/2026

Today we remember our BCSO Deputy Paul Lancaster.
EOW: 06/10/2021

06/04/2026

Please keep the family and first responders in your prayers.

On Saturday, May 30, 2026, at approximately 7:52 p.m., the Marion County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle versus pedestrian crash involving a 1-year-old female child on a rural property near Aumsville. The incident occurred on private property.

Deputies and emergency responders arrived on scene and began an investigation. Tragically, the child was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver was cooperative with law enforcement throughout the investigation. At this time, no arrests have been made.

This is a heartbreaking incident, and our thoughts and condolences are with the child's family and all those affected.

The investigation remains ongoing, and no further information is available at this time.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank our CRASH Team, Criminal Investigations Unit, Stayton Police Department, Stayton Fire District, Santiam Ambulance, METCOM 911, the Willamette Valley Communications Center (WVCC), and the Willamette Valley First Responder Chaplains for their assistance with this case.

05/25/2026

Today we remember all who gave their lives that we might be free.

05/15/2026

A truly wonderful outcome and answer to prayer for Mr. Highsmith and his family, following the outstanding work from the Linn County Search and Rescue Team, Oregon State Sheriff’s Association Incident Management Team, Mary’s Peak Search and Rescue, Corvallis Mountain Rescue, Deschutes County Search and Rescue, Marion County Search and Rescue, Lane County Search and Rescue, Albany Police Department, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, United States Forest Service, Oregon Department of Emergency Management, Oregon Army National Guard, and our own Chaplain Mitch!

UPDATE: MISSING HIKER FOUND ALIVE

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports at 11:30 a.m. this morning, searchers found Jerry Highsmith alive near a trail system around Duffy Lake. Mr. Highsmith was experiencing symptoms of exposure and was unable to walk. A helicopter from the Oregon Army National Guard is currently on scene as a plan to get Mr. Highsmith to an area hospital is underway.

The efforts to find Mr. Highsmith involved over fifty searchers, including ground searchers, drones, K-9’s and aircraft. The Linn County Search and Rescue Team was assisted by the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association Incident Management Team, Mary’s Peak Search and Rescue, Corvallis Mountain Rescue, Deschutes County Search and Rescue, Marion County Search and Rescue, Lane County Search and Rescue, Albany Police Department, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, United States Forest Service, Willamette Valley First Responder Chaplains, Oregon Department of Emergency Management, and the Oregon Army National Guard.

Sheriff Duncan would like to thank all the agencies and organizations that helped in the search for Mr. Highsmith. Finding Mr. Highsmith alive would not be possible without their assistance.

05/14/2026

SEARCH FOR MISSING HIKER RAMPS UP

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports last night at 5:25 p.m., dispatch received the report of an overdue hiker in the area of Big Meadows Road, east of Idanha. The caller reported her father, Jerry Highsmith, 80, from Lebanon, went backpacking near Fir Lake and planned to return home by Tuesday at 5:00 p.m., ahead of anticipated incoming weather.

Deputies responded to the area and located Mr. Highsmith’s vehicle parked at the Fir Lake trailhead off Big Meadows Road. A deputy and a Search and Rescue volunteer hiked into the Fir Lake area while additional Search and Rescue resources were being activated. Despite a thorough search of the trail and area around the lake, deputies were unable to locate Mr. Highsmith.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office activated its full Search and Rescue team, deploying searchers on the trail, who conducted a search through the night under heavy rain and thunderstorm conditions. Search operations have continued without interruption and additional support from neighboring counties has been requested to assist with search assignments today.

Mr. Highsmith is described as an experienced hiker, and likely well prepared for a couple of nights. He’s described as 5’10”, 200 lbs with medium length gray hair. His clothing description is unknown.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help. If you were in the Big Meadows Road area or near Fir Lake at any point over the last several days and may have seen or spoken with Jerry Highsmith, please contact us immediately at (541) 967-3950. Please reference case number 26-01799. Any information, no matter how small, could be critical to bringing Mr. Highsmith home safely.

05/10/2026

To all Mom's working on the Thin Lines of service today, instead of being spoiled at home, we THANK YOU and wish you a very Happy Mother's Day!

04/22/2026

Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid.

~ Franklin P. Jones ~

04/17/2026

The person who stays calm in chaos has fought battles you have never seen.

(WVFRC.org)