(From left to right) Deputies Rehling, Bell and Gray receive their award for valor from Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer at the Dec. 10 Oregon State Sheriffs Association awards banquet in Seaside. Photo/New Visions News

SEASIDE – The Oregon State Sheriffs Association conducted their annual awards banquet at the Ocean View Best Western of Seaside, on Wednesday evening, Dec. 10.

The gavel was passed from Clatsop County Sheriff, John Raichl, to Umatilla County Sheriff, John Trumbo, who will serve as the 2004 president of the Oregon State Sheriffs Association.

Klamath County Sheriff, Tim Evinger, was recognized as the 2003 Oregon Sheriff of the year. Sheriff Evinger was recognized by peers for his relentless work in coordinating the successful state-wide effort to get the AMBER alert system, a early warning system for child abductions, up and running. His efforts were instrumental in providing the State of Oregon with the enactment of a bill providing for the AMBER alert system, which was signed into law on Aug. 13 by Governor Ted Kulongoski.

During the banquet, deputies and citizens were recognized for contact that was exceptional, and in many instances went above and beyond what is expected.

Among those recognized for acts of valor were Grant County Deputies Richard Gray, Samuel Bell and Jason Rehling. They were recognized for their handling of an individual who ambushed them as they responded to a domestic disturbance call. Both Rehling and Gray were shot by the suspect shortly after they arrived at the call. Deputy Gray has returned to duty and Deputy Rehling is recovering from his wounds.