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Curry County Sheriff

Curry County Sheriff

Curry County Sheriff

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Meet the Sheriff John Ward

- Community Plus - Sheriff John Ward

John Ward was appointed Sheriff by the Curry County Board of Commissioners on August 26, 2014 as the new Sheriff effective October 1, 2014, due to the resignation of the pervious Sheriff. Sheriff John Ward has held several law enforcement certificates including the Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Supervisory, Management and Executive Certificate awarded by the Department of Public Safety Standards ... more

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On May 20th, at a BOC meeting in Brookings, Commissioner Hollinger read into the public record, information that he gathered from the Oregon State Sheriff's Association Executive Director, while the Director was speaking at the AOC commissioner college, doing a presentation on the History of the Sheriff's Office. Hollinger recorded the presentation and subsequent questions and answers without knowledge or permission of the Director and then mis-represented and mis-led the public with the information. OSSA responded to the Curry County BOC, see below. OSSA has asked me to share this with the public. OREGON STATE SHERIFFS’ ASSOCIATION PO Box 7468, Salem, OR 97303 | 503.364.4204 | www.oregonsheriffs.org JOIN . SERVE . PROTECT . Curry County Board of Commissioners 94235 Moore Street, Suite 122 Gold Beach, OR 97444 Dear Commissioners, We are writing on behalf of the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association (OSSA) in response to the presentation made by Commissioner Patrick Hollinger to the Curry County Board of Commissioners on May 20, 2025. Commissioner Hollinger referenced and utilized content from a private training held during the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) conference. We must express serious concern regarding the nature and handling of this material. The training in question was not a public forum—it was a private session intended for educational purposes among county leaders. The presentation and its content were not recorded with the knowledge or consent of AOC leadership, OSSA, or the speakers involved, which appears to be a violation of Oregon law as discussed below. Commissioner Hollinger contacted Executive Director Svenson and asked if he could use the content and Svenson gave him permission to report on the answers to the questions that he asked. The subsequent use of that recording by a County Commissioner particularly in a public meeting, raises significant ethical and legal concerns and calls into question the Commissioner’s transparency and professionalism. More troubling is that the content from the OSSA presentation was taken out of context and used in a manner that appears to be designed to intentionally mislead the public. The information presented by OSSA was not specific to the situation in Curry County, nor was it intended to represent any official OSSA position regarding Curry County matters. Presenting it otherwise misrepresents the intent of the speakers and the broader message of the training. The use of this material to support a particular position within the county not only distorts the context but risks misleading the public and undermining constructive dialogue. It is critical to emphasize that OSSA’s role in presenting at the AOC conference was strictly educational. The organization did not take a stance—implicitly or explicitly—on any issue related to Curry County. To present our statements as such is inappropriate, unprofessional, and completely misaligned with OSSA’s intent. Additionally, we must bring attention to the manner in which the recording was obtained and used. Failing to provide notice to speakers or AOC leadership is contrary to expected standards of respect and cooperation among partners. Furthermore, the lack of notice before recording and using the material publicly appears to be a violation of ORS 165.540, section 6, which outlines Oregon's laws regarding the unlawful recording of communications. At best, the Commissioner’s actions were inappropriate and misleading, and at worst appear to have violated Oregon criminal laws. The longstanding partnership between OSSA and AOC is based on OREGON STATE SHERIFFS’ ASSOCIATION PO Box 7468, Salem, OR 97303 | 503.364.4204 | www.oregonsheriffs.org JOIN . SERVE . PROTECT . mutual respect, professionalism, and transparency. Actions like those taken by Commissioner Hollinger compromise that trust and jeopardize future collaboration. To be clear, OSSA does not have a position on the internal issues facing Curry County. The presentation given at the AOC conference was not directed at, nor relevant to, the specific dynamics or governance matters of your county. Any suggestion to the contrary is inaccurate and misleading. We respectfully request that this be formally recognized by the Board of Commissioners and appropriately addressed in the public record. Sincerely, Tim Svenson Sheriff Mark Garton Executive Director President Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association Oregon State Sheriffs' Association – Serving You Since 1916www.oregonsheriffs.orgJOIN.SERVE.PROTECT. BECOME AN OSSA MEMBER TODAY Individuals and businesses who want to support public safety across the State of Oregon may join the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association (OSSA), a tax-exempt non-profit organization. Your tax deductible dues and contributions support Oregon's 36 elected...

On May 20th at a BOC meeting in Brookings Commissioner Hollinger read into the public reco... More

06/02/2025

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On 05/08/25 at or about 11:23 p.m. William Barlow called 911 to report that he and three other people were out on the Vulcan Lake trail. Barlow informed Central Dispatch that himself and Carl Carter Jr had responded to the area in the afternoon of 05/08/25, to help out some friends. Barlow stated that Laruen Watson was the owner of two great Pyrenees dogs. At this time both of the dogs (Moses and Fin) had torn off the pads of their feet, and were bleeding from their feet. Both dogs were also suffering from dehydration, pure exhaustion, and they could not walk on their own. Great Pyrenees dogs are an extremely large breed of dog, and both weighed well in excess of 100 pounds. Barlow stated that they had supplies and were going to spend the night near Vulcan Lake. Barlow believed that they were approximately 2.5 miles from the trailhead. The Vulcan Lake trailhead is located on the edge of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness area, and is an approximately an hour drive from Brookings. On 05/09/25 at or about 6:00 a.m. while out on another call, SAR Coordinator Sgt Jared Gray made contact with Barlow over the telephone. At this time Barlow reported that they were able to get the dogs to the top of the ridge the night before, but they were no longer on the trail. Barlow reported that the dogs were so weak that they could not walk. He stated that they bandaged both dogs feet attempting to get them to walk, but the dogs could not even stand on their own. At this time Barlow advised that they would continue to try and get the dogs back to the trailhead, after resting throughout the night. At or about 7:47 a.m. the decision to activate Search and Rescue was made. At or about 9:52 a.m. SAR volunteer and Cal-or paramedic Art Tarin was the first to arrive at Vulcan Lake area. At this time Tarin began to walk the trail in search of the subjects and the two dogs. At or about 10:55 a.m. Tarin was able to locate the subjects. At this time Tarin relayed that the subjects had traveled back down the trailhead, and were now just above Vulcan Lake. At or about 11:15 a.m. Sgt Gray and SAR volunteers, Craig Rasbury, and Tim Hawkins arrived at the trailhead. At this time another subject named Jake arrived at the trailhead. Jake advised that his wife knew the dog owner and he also responded to assist with the recovery of the two dogs. While Sgt Gray, Rasbury, Hawkins, and Jake hiked up the trail, Tarin and the other 4 subjects, were able to drag both Moses and Fin to the top of the ridge. Both dogs were placed into a flexible plastic sled called a SKED, and were then able to be dragged up the steep mountain. Once at the crest of the trail, one of the dogs was placed into a stokes basket, which was then placed onto a wheeled cart. Over the next several hours Moses and Fin were dragged in the SKED device, and the wheeled cart all the way to the trailhead. Both Moses and Fin then left with their owner to hopefully have a full recovery.Photos from Curry County Justice's post

On 050825 at or about 1123 pm William Barlow called 911 to report that he and three other... More

06/01/2025

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We just found out that the county restricted us from posting on our webpage. This is where we let our citizens know about our weekly press log stats. Apparently, they did this last week through their county counsel but didn't let anyone else know until we did some digging this morning into why we can't post on our own web page. So here is our stats for 04-20-25 through 04-26-25. Curry County Sheriff’s Office – Activity Log April 20, 2025 – April 26, 2025 The following report represents the activity of the Curry County Sheriff’s Office over the course of the above period. These reports are public record and may be released at the discretion of the Sheriff. Curry County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch The Curry County Sheriff's Dispatch division operates with 8 budgeted positions, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Dispatch division is responsible for 911, non-emergency lines, radio traffic and jail control operations. Calls For Service Total Calls for Service: 376 911 Emergency Calls: 72 Non-Emergency Calls: 128 Officer Initiated Calls : 110 Other initiated calls: 66 Calls by Agency Curry County SO Patrol/Civil: 122 Gold Beach PD: 93 Port Orford PD: 55 Brookings PD: 7 Oregon State Police: 20 CalOre Life Flight: 22 Fire Departments : 12 Other Agencies : 45 Curry County Sheriff’s Office Patrol / Civil The Curry County Sheriff's Office Patrol and Civil division is responsible for responding to calls for service, investigating crimes, keeping the peace, and civil service. Due to budget cuts for Fiscal Year 2024/2025, the Patrol and Civil division is operating at reduced staffing levels and hours of response. Calls Handled Total Calls:122 Civil Services :11 Sheriff Report Form (SRF) : 47 Deputy Assigned Calls: 55 Other Administrative Calls: 9

We just found out that the county restricted us from posting on our webpage This is where... More

04/28/2025

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From the desk of SHERIFF JOHN WARD CURRY COUNTY, OREGON 94235 MOORE STREET, SUITE 311 29808 Colvin Street (Physical) GOLD BEACH, OR 97444 (541) 247-3221 - FAX: 541-247-6893 [email protected] 04-21-2025 On Friday, 04-18-2025 at about 1:25pm, the Curry County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received information from the Brookings Dispatch of a 911 call reporting paddle boarders at Secret Beach that were stuck and injured offshore. SAR was requested and that Brookings Fire Department and the Coast Guard were enroute. Cal Ore Life Flight responded as well as an Oregon State Trooper. Secret Beach is located about thirteen miles north of Brookings, Or., off U.S Highway 101. At about 1:40pm, I arrived and hiked the Secret Beach trail down to the beach and met with other first responders. We determined that the two that were stuck on a rock were a couple hundred yards offshore and the best way to get to them would either be by Coast Guard boat or helicopter. In the meantime, two SAR members, Happ Flynn and Joe Kulp used a kayak to reach the two stranded subjects, one of which was injured from falling after he tried to climb the rock to the top. SAR members determined that the male subject who was injured had a broken arm, several lacerations and was hypothermic. SAR members stabilized the man’s arm and then was able to float the injured male out to the Coast Guard boat that was waiting about thirty yards from the rock. The Coast Guard then transported the injured man to Brookings Harbor where Cal Ore transported him to Sutter Coast Hospital. The two SAR swimmers then were able to get the female back to shore with her kayak. The two subjects that were rescued were from Duluth Minnesota.Photos from Curry County Justice's post

From the desk of SHERIFF JOHN WARD CURRY COUNTY OREGON 94235 MOORE STREET SUITE 311 29808 ... More

04/21/2025

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INFORMATION just in case you would like to know. With everything we have gone through for the past ten months or so here at the Sheriff's Office, I want to remind the public, we have no patrol deputies at this time. My patrol division was defunded last budget down to three positions. We have had to shift those patrol deputies to work the jail because of resignations in the jail and the jail is a mandated function. There is only a couple of us including myself that respond to priority calls for now. We are working hard to fill vacancies in the jail so we can move our three patrol deputies back to the road. To get to one of the reasons for this post, there is a citizens group that has put together a five-year law enforcement levy that will be on this May's ballot, asking to fund my patrol division and our dispatch, with some funding included for Marine and Search and Rescue. The funds that this levy would raise would be restricted for these purposes and could not be used for any other reason. More information will be available very soon, promoted by the Curry citizens for law enforcement group. I want to let you all know that I fully support the levy as we need to start rebuilding so we can provide public safety to our citizens. I am asking for your support, help us help you. The other reason for this post is that the general public probably has no idea of everything the BOC has thrown at us these past ten months or so. If you recall or kept informed, you will know what I am talking about and what we have been put through. The latest thing is the BOC and their county counsel have approved selling four of our patrol cars to the Brookings Police Department. Check out the BOC meeting held yesterday at 2pm, just over nineteen minutes in. This was all done without a conversation with me or even one word, no communication. They even demanded that I turn over all duplicate spare keys to all our vehicles. It sounds insane, but that is what is going on. If we can pass the levy for public safety, we are going to need our patrol cars for the deputies we will hire. The county cannot afford to buy more cars and have them outfitted. The cars we have were all paid for out our past approved budgets, and they are under our control. This is just one of many things that we have had to deal with, and there is no excuse. If I were to go over everything that we have had to deal with, this would be a record long post. Never would I have imagined that we would be in this position. I want to thank you all for your continued support., please vote this May to fund public safety. I remain your Sheriff.

INFORMATION just in case you would like to know With everything we have gone through for ... More

03/19/2025

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Our 911/Dispatch wants everyone to know, not to fall for the phone scams that are going around. A group of misfits are calling citizens of our county, using our phone number, telling them they have warrants for their arrest. They want you to send them money to clear up the warrants. DO NOT FALL FOR THIS SCAM. We would never call you and ask for money to avoid being arrested. HANG UP ON THEM, and if it was me, I would also have a few choice words for them. If you get one of these calls, you can always check with dispatch and report it. Sheriff Ward

Our 911Dispatch wants everyone to know not to fall for the phone scams that are going arou... More

03/10/2025

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Over this past weekend, members of the Curry County Sheriff's SAR team, spent the weekend doing their annual overnight survival training. Three new members spent the night out in the woods near the SAR camp, making a shelter and having a warming fire. The rest of the experienced SAR team checked on the three new members throughout the night. Training was provided for locating GPS locations and team building. Other training included wilderness medical training put on by both Andy Stubbs and Art Tarin. In all, there was about fifteen SAR members who participated in this training event. SAR coordinator, Sergeant Jared Gray, had organized the training at a remote location between Gold Beach and Port Orford in Curry County. We want to thank all our SAR volunteers and the community members who support us.Photos from Curry County Justice's post

Over this past weekend members of the Curry County Sheriffs SAR team spent the weekend doi... More

02/28/2025

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From the desk of SHERIFF JOHN WARD CURRY COUNTY, OREGON 94235 MOORE STREET, SUITE 311 29808 Colvin Street (Physical) GOLD BEACH, OR 97444 (541) 247-3221 - FAX: 541-247-6893 [email protected] 01-27-2025 Sunday, January 26th, 2025, at about 10:21pm, the Curry County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a call from Washington resident, Shelly Brown, reporting that she received a call from her mother who lives on Ophir Road, telling Shelly that her 81-year-old father had walked away from his residence a couple hours earlier and had not been seen since. Shelly was concerned about the safety and wellbeing of her father. Dispatch got all pertinent information about John Bonsangue and called me about the issue. I then asked the dispatch to call out available SAR members and I responded to Bonsangue’s residence and spoke to his wife, Terri Bolint. Once SAR members arrived, we started a grid search of the area. Bolint checked her ring camera footage and verified that John had walked away from his residence down his driveway towards Ophir Road at about 8:43pm. Due to the time lapse when John left his residence, SAR members started focusing on the road systems in the area. At about 11:47pm, SAR member, Sally Hawkins located John Bonsangue walking east bound on Euchre Creek Road about 2 ½ miles from his residence. Hawkins gave Bonsangue a ride back to his residence where he was reunited with his wife. Bonsangue was cold and confused but did not require any medical attention.

From the desk of SHERIFF JOHN WARD CURRY COUNTY OREGON 94235 MOORE STREET SUITE 311 29808 ... More

01/28/2025

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From the desk of SHERIFF JOHN WARD CURRY COUNTY, OREGON 94235 MOORE STREET, SUITE 311 29808 Colvin Street (Physical) GOLD BEACH, OR 97444 (541) 247-3221 - FAX: 541-247-6893 [email protected] 12-30-2024 The Curry Couty Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the anonymous doners in Curry County for the cash for the holidays. For the past several years, a select group of citizens have been donating cash to help families that could use some extra help during the holidays. All donated money comes from people in our community who wish to remain anonymous. Every cent donated goes back out to families who have been nominated through our social media page. This year after putting the post on social media, we received many nominations throughout Curry County for families that could use extra help. Based on the narratives provided for families, we chose fourteen families and delivered donated cash to them. We wish that we could have helped everyone who was nominated. We are honored to be able to be a part of this Christmas giving. All families who received a cash donation gave authorization for their photos to be posted.

From the desk of SHERIFF JOHN WARD CURRY COUNTY OREGON 94235 MOORE STREET SUITE 311 29808 ... More

12/30/2024

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On December 12, 2024, while at the annual Oregon State Sheriff's Conference in Bend, Or., , Lt. David Denney and Sergeant Jared Gray were recognized and given Distinguished Service Awards for their role in saving the lives of several people on May 22, 2024, on the Rogue River at Huntly Park, east of Gold Beach. ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE: On 05/22/24 at or about 3:28 p.m. Curry County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a 911 call reporting that several juveniles were in the water possibly drowning in the Rogue River near Huntly Park, about six miles east of Gold Beach. Central Dispatch then began to dispatch Curry County Sheriff’s Deputies, Gold Beach Police Officers, Gold Beach Fire, medical personal from Cal-Or ambulance, as well as medical helicopters from Reach. Within minutes from getting the call, Sheriff Deputies, and Gold Beach Police Officers arrived in the area of Huntly Park gravel bar along the Rouge River. At this time there were a total of 7 individuals, (Two teachers, 5 juveniles) clinging to the rocks on the opposite side of the river from Huntly Park, or still swimming in the river. The subjects were yelling that they could not hang on to the rocks any longer. Two Gold Beach Officers and a Sheriff’s Deputy made the decision to attempt to swim across the river to attempt to assist the subjects. One of the Gold Beach Officers was swept down river along with a teacher and a student. At about 3:45 p.m. Sgt Jared Gray and Lieutenant David Denney arrived in the Sheriff’s marine patrol boat. Upon arrival in the area out in front of Tu Tu Tun Lodge, (Approx ¾ mile downstream from Huntly Park) three subjects were seen by Sgt Gray and Lieutenant Denney in the water. Two females were observed together trying to swim on their backs, and approximately 200 yards above them was a male subject struggling to stay above water. It was clear that all three were in distress, but the male subject was observed going underwater several times and it appeared he would not be able to stay above water any longer. As they reached the male subject who was under water, they recognized him as a GBPD Officer, and he was grabbed from under the water by Lieutenant Denney and pulled onto the swim platform of the boat. With Lieutenant Denney hanging onto the GBPD Officer, Sgt Gray then maneuvered the boat back down river and was able to secure the other two females, (one teacher-one juvenile). Sgt Gray then maneuvered the boat to the shore with the two females clinging to the side of the boat. The GBPD officer was then pulled all the way into the boat. Sgt Gray and Lieutenant Denney then pulled the last subject from the rocks, and all subjects were then transported by boat to the gravel bar at Huntly Park where medical and fire personnel were waiting. At this time deputies then obtained a head count and confirmed that all juveniles, teachers, and responding officers were accounted for. This was a very coordinated and amazing effort by numerous different agencies, all working together. There is no doubt that if Sgt. Jared Gray and Lieutenant David Denney had not acted when they did, the teacher, the student and the Gold Beach Officer would not have survived. The Gold Beach Officer had gone under for the last time when he was pulled from under the water.

On December 12 2024 while at the annual Oregon State Sheriffs Conference in Bend Or Lt Da... More

12/17/2024