Lane County Sheriff's Search and Rescue

01/03/2025

12/25/24 - LCSO Case #24-6784

Search & Rescue saves lost person on Christmas Day

On December 24th at about 6 p.m., the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a missing mushroom picker in the area of Big Fall Creek. The person was somewhat prepared for the weather, but not to stay out overnight.

Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue responded and searched the area until the early morning hours without success. They resumed the search Christmas morning, and also deployed a drone to assist in the search. At about 10 a.m., the SAR team found the subject. After warming the subject and providing dry clothes, they hiked out of the area and reunited the person with friends.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the many SAR volunteers involved in the search who gave up their Christmas eve or Christmas morning with family to make sure the missing person was rescued.

11/28/2024

Our front counter will be closed Thursday, November 28th in observance of Thanksgiving.

Thanks to our employees for their hard work and dedication. While some will spend a day off with family and friends, many others will be working in service to our community.

Please enjoy the day safely wherever you’ll be celebrating!

10/07/2024

The Lane County Sheriff's Office is looking to recruit at least 25 volunteers for their Search and Rescue ground teams. Open house sessions begin next week.

08/04/2024

Amazing job by our friends and partners at Eugene Springfield Fire yesterday! This was an incredibly dangerous situation for everyone involved. Please recreate responsibly on our waterways: wear a lifejacket, don't float in pool toys, and stay away from man-man structures in the river.

07/10/2024

04/24/2024

We are so grateful for our incredible group of Search and Rescue Volunteers. In 2023 alone, SAR volunteers donated over 24,000 hours of time on missions, trainings, public outreach, and much more.

A message from Sheriff Cliff Harrold:

It’s National Volunteers Week and I’m excited to highlight the outstanding work being done by our very own Lane County Sheriff’s Office volunteers! Although our volunteers steadfastly work all year long, this specific week gives us an opportunity to step back and recognize these hardworking individuals who dedicate their time, efforts, talents and passion to serve the people of Lane County.

Our public service extends beyond the reach of our paid employees in the Corrections, Police Services, and Operations Support Divisions. Our volunteers give their time through a variety of ways, all with the same goal of serving the residents of Lane County. We currently have well over 300 volunteers donating thousands of hours to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and community.

To put the hard work into numbers, our volunteers donate more than 28,000 hours annually, encompassing search and rescue missions, trainings, cold case investigation, public outreach, crime prevention, main office greetings and information, jail library, support groups, and religious services provided to adults in custody. I have listed below several of the programs to give a better idea of the vital functions being handled day in and day out by our volunteers who greatly improve the quality of service we are able to deliver to the Lane County community.

Cold Case Team
Mounted Posse
Reserve Deputy Sheriffs
Cadet Program
Search and Rescue
Crime Prevention Team
Corrections Library/Groups/Religious Services
Main Office Information
Chaplains

We are honored and so fortunate to have every single volunteer as a member of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office family. Thank you for your time, your dedication, and your commitment to serve!

- Cliff

For more info on the many ways to serve our county with us, visit www.lanecounty.org/government/county_departments/sheriff_s_office/volunteers

04/24/2024

We will be having another open house tomorrow evening at 6:00PM, at the Public Service Building at 125 E 8th Ave on the southwest side of the building.

Teens who will be 14-17 (14 by June 1st) and their families are welcome to come and learn more about our Youth Search and Rescue program.

We are recruiting youth Search and Rescue volunteers!

Learn more at our open house on Tuesday, April 9th at 6:00 p.m. in Harris Hall, 125 E 8th Ave., Eugene.

We are looking for teens 14 and up (by June 1st) who have positive attitudes and want to serve their community. Volunteers must be willing to respond any time day or night, often in bad weather and extreme conditions.

Teens who attend our SAR academy will become Oregon State SAR Certified, and receive training in medical care, orienteering, outdoor survival, and other important skills.

We will hold an additional open house on April 25th as well.

Questions? Need more info? Email our team at [email protected]

04/08/2024

Come to our Youth SAR Program's Open house tomorrow night at 6:00 PM! Youth 14-18 (14 by June 1st) are welcome to apply.

We are recruiting youth Search and Rescue volunteers!

Learn more at our open house on Tuesday, April 9th at 6:00 p.m. in Harris Hall, 125 E 8th Ave., Eugene.

We are looking for teens 14 and up (by June 1st) who have positive attitudes and want to serve their community. Volunteers must be willing to respond any time day or night, often in bad weather and extreme conditions.

Teens who attend our SAR academy will become Oregon State SAR Certified, and receive training in medical care, orienteering, outdoor survival, and other important skills.

We will hold an additional open house on April 25th as well.

Questions? Need more info? Email our team at [email protected]

02/16/2024

*UPDATE* - 02/21/24

The remains have been identified as Dustin Jay Steyding of Yachats.

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02/11/24 - LCSO Case #24-0714 – Lane County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue Recovers Remains using Steep Angle Rope Techniques

On Sunday, two Benton County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue volunteers were hiking near Cummins Peak southeast of Yachats. The volunteers had previously been involved in search efforts in the area for Dustin Steyding. During their hike, they located human remains.

Lane County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue volunteers and deputies responded to investigate and recover the remains, which were near the bottom of an extremely steep coastal drainage with thick vegetation. Operations took over ten hours and involved a steep angle rope system. Search & Rescue volunteers and deputies used the rope system to raise the remains and recovery team 800 feet up the drainage to safe ground.

The Lane County Medical Examiner's Office retained jurisdiction. Additional information is being withheld pending positive identification of the remains.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office could not handle these types of calls and many others without the selfless service of our Search & Rescue volunteers. Nearly every week, they assist with rescues in all types of environments and weather. Learn more about our Search & Rescue program at https://www.lanecounty.org/government/county_departments/sheriff_s_office/volunteers/search_and_rescue

01/24/2024

Please always consider the current and forecasted weather before venturing into rural or remote areas. High winds and heavy rain will be the perfect recipe for landslides and falling trees which can obstruct roadways and leave you stranded.

Also, make sure to always tell someone where you are planning to go, when to expect you back, and then stick to that plan. Otherwise, what will happen if you do get stranded?

🚨 The National Weather Service predicts a possible atmospheric river and high winds along the West Coast from Jan 30 to Feb 3. Residents, be prepared for potential challenges on the heels of last week’s storm:

🔹 Gather food, medical supplies, batteries, pet supplies, among other things, needed by family members during an outage
🔹 Keep phones charged and consider a car charger
🔹 Keep your gas tank at least half full
🔹 Update contact info with utility providers

Possible effects include localized flooding, power outages, road closures, landslides, and falling debris. Stay informed, be cautious, and visit www.ready.gov/severe-weather for preparation tips.

Track the forecast at www.weather.gov/pqr

😭

11/25/2023

Seven volunteers and a SAR Coordinator from Lane County Sheriff's Search and Rescue responded to assist in this Thanksgiving Day search. We are thankful for the positive outcome, and proud of our volunteers who selflessly gave up their holiday to serve a family in need.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=747435897413891&id=100064424632670&mibextid=Nif5oz

09/23/2023

We're recruiting new volunteers!