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] On 8/31/25 at 8:50pm the Curry County Sheriff’s Office received a distress call for a capsized vessel about four miles Northwest of Gold Beach, Or. with three people on board, two of which were reported trapped underneath the vessel. The three individuals were identified as Sam Waller, Robbie Nelson, and Jerrod Bruner. The Curry County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Jared Gray and Sheriff John Ward responded to the capsized vessel along with other local vessels. One of the responding vessels operated by Merit Draven and Scott Feist arrived on scene first and were able to rescue one of the passengers, Robbie Nelson, who was located on the hull of the capsized vessel. Robbie was transported to Curry General Hospital for hypothermia treatment. The other two individuals on board, Sam Waller and Jerrod Bruner were not located and suspected trapped under the water. Due to water and whether conditions, the Sheriff’s vessel and other local vessels were forced to return to port while the U.S. Coast Guard continued their efforts. On 9/1/25 at 9:30am, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended all search efforts. The Curry County Sheriff’s Office continued search efforts along with local resources. Jordan White along with Sheriff Ward performed helicopter flights over the coastline checking for survivors while Marine Deputy Jordan Rhodes, Gold Beach Fire Chief Tyson Krieger, and Doug Breidenthal coordinated water response assets. The capsized vessel was located off the coastline near Pistol River by Jordan White and Sheriff Ward. There were no signs of survivors. Due to water conditions, a water response was not feasible. On 9/2/25 at 6:00am Doug Breidenthal, Marine Deputy Jordan Rhodes, Gold Beach Fire Captain Tim Bolster, and Michelle Wileman launched a private vessel along with a second vessel operated by Dan Akin, Graig Maclay, and Earl Yager from the Port of Brookings Harbor to continue the search. Due to heavy fog no air assets were able to continue the search. At 1:52pm, Deputy Rhodes located the capsized vessel approximately 12 miles Northwest of the Port of Brookings. The area was searched, and no sign of life was found. Tim Bolster was able to board the vessel and secure it for tow back to the Port of Brookings. Due to water conditions, it was unsafe to send a diver underwater to search the cabin of the vessel. The vessel was towed part way back to Brookings by Dan Akin and later towed the remaining 10 miles by the crew of the Ora Rose to the Port of Brookings Harbor. Doug Breidenthal, Deputy Rhodes, and Captain Bolster followed for the entirety of the tow in case of a recovery needed. At 11:15pm the capsized vessel was safely secured at the Port of Brookings Harbor dock and operations for a dive team were made for the next morning at 8:00am. On 9/3/25 at 8:00am, Sheriff John Ward, Sgt. Jared Gray, Marine Deputy Jordan Rhodes, and diver Jordan White arrived at the vessel and performed a search of the vessel. Sam Waller was located and recovered from the vessel. No sign of Jerrod Bruner was found. Port of Brookings Harbor Master Travis Webster and staff assisted with final recovery of the vessel and removed it from the water. A final search of the vessel was completed by Sheriff Ward and Deputy Rhodes. The body of Sam Waller was released to Redwood Memorial by the authorization of the Curry County District Attorney. At this time, Jerrod Bruner is still missing. Local efforts in coordination with the Curry County Sheriff’s Office are ongoing. There were many people not named in the rescue effort and a great deal of prayers. The loss of these two men has had a devastating effect on their families and the entire community. Deputy Jordan RhodesPhotos from Curry County Justice's post