Willamette Valley First Responder Chaplains

08/24/2026

"What matters is not what has been done to us, but what we do with what has been done to us"
~ Jean-Paul Sartre ~

07/04/2026

We would like to wish everyone a very Happy Independence Day as we celebrate our great nations 250th anniversary! And to those serving on the thin lines today and missing out on their family time, we thank you!

06/30/2026

Linn County Undersheriff Micah Smith reports that on June 26, 2026, at 8:47 PM, Linn County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting that a male had jumped into the water at Tamolitch Falls, located off Highway 126, and was not able to get out. The area is commonly known as Blue Pool.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Kenny Truong, 21, of Kansas, during what is an unimaginable time. Kenny was visiting the area with friends when he decided to jump into the pool. Witnesses describe him struggling as he swam toward shore, before submerging. Despite the best efforts of those at Tamolitch Falls who tried to help him, and the first responders who arrived in response to the 911 call, Kenny did not survive.

Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Lane County Sheriff’s Office, and Upper McKenzie Rural Fire responded together Friday evening, as these agencies have done many times before at this location. We are grateful for every responder who answered that call.

Tamolitch Falls is a breathtaking destination visited by people from throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. It is also a place that has taken lives before and will take lives again if visitors do not understand what they are facing. The cliffs surrounding the pool rise between 10 and 60 feet. The water averages 37 degrees Fahrenheit, cold enough to cause immediate physical shock upon entry. There is minimal to no cell phone reception in the area. When something goes wrong at Blue Pool (or on the trail leading into the falls), it can take up to several hours from the moment of injury to reach a hospital. Linn County Sheriff’s Office and our partner agencies respond to emergencies at this location every year.

We ask everyone planning to visit Tamolitch Falls to go with that knowledge. Understand the risks before you enter the water. Look out for the people you came with. If you have questions about current conditions, contact the McKenzie River Ranger Station at (541) 822-3381 or visit their website. And if someone is in distress, call 911 immediately, every minute matters at a location this remote.

McKenzie River Ranger Station Tamolitch Falls:
https://buff.ly/r57u2zU

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!