Marion County Sheriff's Search and Rescue

05/18/2026

We are incredibly greatful to the many search and rescue volunteers, Sheriff's Office overhead team, and all their families for the countless hours of time given to trainings, missions, and all the behind the scenes time spent being prepared for when the call for help comes in. Our volunteers are highly dedicated to their work and give so much to their communities! We really can't thank them enough.

05/15/2026

We're happy to report the missing man in Linn County was found safe by searchers this afternoon in the area near Duffy Lake. He was air lifted and his belongings recovered. Our volunteers are returning home this evening after a long day of hiking over 12 miles today with rescue gear.

Thank you to everyone who helped with this rescue and for all the partnering teams and agencies for coming together to make this another successful mission.

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.

04/16/2026

Yesterday, our team members who specialize in rope rescues, ground searches, and communications responded to a call for an injuried biker near the Opal Creek TH.

Our team arrived quickly and find difficult conditions. The terrain was near vertical and the use of a helicoter to hoist was ruled out due to the danger posed by surrounding dead trees. Temperatures were near freezing with a mix of rain, snow, and hail at times.

Thanks to the quick response and help of many partnering agencies, the patient was rescued and transported to a nearby hospital before dark.

04/02/2026

Just as the weather in the Willamette Valley turned windy and rainy this afternoon our team was activated for a hiker who had fallen near Silver Creek Falls State Park. More than a dozen searchers responded with more in position to respond if needed. Fortunately the hiker was rescued without injury and before dark. Thank you to all the volunteers and partnering agencies who responded quickly.

03/22/2026

Search and Rescue volunteers will be interacting with members of the community April 11-12th in east Marion County. Please see the notice below if you live in the communities of the Gates, Detroit, or Idanha.

The exercise will be in the North Fork and Gates area on Saturday, April 11 and in the Detroit and Idanha areas on Sunday, April 12. MCSO deputies and MCSO SAR will be conducting mock evacuations and handing out this informational flyer.

03/12/2026

UPDATE: **LOCATED** Per the MCSO, Albina was located by law enforcement and is safe.

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The Marion County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help locating a missing juvenile.

https://www.facebook.com/share/17D55mknSc/

***** Update: Missing Juvenile Located Safely

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office previously requested assistance in locating Albina Kosar, a missing and endangered juvenile.

Albina was located by law enforcement this morning and is safe.

This case remains ongoing, and no further information is available at this time.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the community and our law enforcement partners for their assistance and vigilance.

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Missing Person/Endangered Juvenile

The Marion County Sheriff's Office is attempting to locate Albina Kosar, age 16 (DOB 12/02/2009). She was last seen Friday, March 6, 2026, at 1200 PM from her home in Aurora. She was last seen wearing black pants, black shirt, white socks and carrying a black purse.

Albina may be with an adult male and possibly headed to Eugene.

Please contact Marion County Sheriff's Office Dispatch at 503-588-5032 if you believe you have seen Albina and/or have information pertaining to her disappearance.

01/17/2026

We have some very exciting news to share! Our team was awarded the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association Distinguished Service Award. To receive this award is an extremely prestigious accomplishment and a testament to the incredible work and dedication our team has to our community. Additionally, our SAR Board President, Mike Quisenberry, was awarded the Region 3 Volunteer of the Year! Mike is friend and mentor to every member of the team and gives an incredible amount of his time. Mike is a leader and motivator. It was no surprise to learn Mike was this year's Region 3 award winner!

In 2025, our team donated more than 9,000 hours of service to the citizens of Marion County and to surrounding agencies and communities. Surrounding agencies we responded in support of include the Polk County Sheriff's Office Oregon, Lane County Sheriff's Office, Linn County Sheriff's Office, Washington County Sheriff's Office, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Salem Police Department, and the Keizer Police Department.

Please take a moment to read the Distinguished Service Award below. We couldn't do our important work without support from our partners and community members. Please considering supporting our work with a donation to Marion County Sheriff's Search and Rescue. Checks can be mailed to: P.O. Box 7101 Salem, OR 97303. You can also message our FB page for other was to donate!

12/14/2025

Our volunteers handed out more than 25 lbs of candy and countless smiles tonight at the Keizer Holiday Lights Parade! The dry weather brought record numbers of families sharing the holiday cheer tonight. Thank you for the outpouring of support. We heard so many "thank yous" from the crowd as we drove by.

12/12/2025

Join us for an evening of holiday lights in Keizer this Saturday. You wont want to miss seeing our volunteers and their SAR response vehicles lit up with holiday cheer. We expect to be near the front of the parade alongside the Marion County Sheriff's Office in the parade. Please be loud, cheer, and yell "thank you," to show your support of first responders as they go by. SAR volunteers will be handing out candy and swag! 🎄🎅🧑‍🎄

🎄✨ Keizer Holiday Lights Parade 2025 ✨🎄

Get ready to light up the night! 🌟 Join us for one of Keizer’s favorite traditions — the Keizer Holiday Lights Parade on Saturday, December 13th, 2025, from 7:00–9:00 PM!

Presented by: LOCAL Plumbing Co.
Sponsor: R&R Tree Service - https://rrtreeservice.com/

🎅 Parade Route: River Road from Lockhaven to Glynbrook
🚧 Road Closures: River Road closes at 6:00 PM (Chemawa intersection closes at 6:00 PM)
🙌 Parade Entry Deadline: December 6th, 2025

📞 Questions? Call us at (503) 393-9111

12/09/2025

Stay alert to high water and possible rock slides throughout Marion County this week. Your Marion County Search and Rescue volunteers stand ready to respond to any weather related rescues should the need arise.

⚠️ BE AWARE: FLOODING CONDITIONS REPORTED ⚠️
We have received several reports of high water and localized flooding around Marion County. If you’re traveling, please use caution:

• Slow down and allow extra travel time
• Watch for debris, downed trees, and hidden hazards
• Never drive around road closures or barricades
• Prepare for potential power outages
• Report hazardous conditions

For emergencies, call 911.
For non-emergencies, call 503-588-5032.

Stay alert and stay safe, Marion County

(Photo was taken at Hazelgreen Rd N/ Torvend Rd NE at 8 am)