MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. — The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is recognizing a 46-year-old man who rescued a 38-year-old man from the Columbia River.

“This is a moment that captures the very best of what our community in Multnomah County looks like,” said MCSO Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell. “It was one of those moments when everything seemed to align perfectly, and it was a moment that brought two heroes together to save a life even though they were miles apart.” 

“Putting aside his own safety for someone else, Solomon jumped into action and saved a life through his quick, calm, and skilled intervention,” said BOEC Interim Director Steve Mawdsley. "I am so thankful that a team of professional first responders, including BOEC Senior Dispatcher Holly Campbell, worked together with a concerned member of the public to respond to an emergency with professionalism and compassion."

At approximately 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 16, 2025, the City of Portland’s Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) received a 911 call from Solomon Florea requesting medical help for a man he rescued from the Columbia River near the North Portland Harbor.

Florea said he was home when he saw an empty sailboat floating on the river and a man bobbing in the water near the boat. It’s still not entirely known how the man ended up in the river in distress.

Acting quickly, Florea kayaked to the patient and pulled him from the water, wrapping him in layers once ashore to restore the man’s body temperature. 

It is unclear how long the patient had been submerged in the cold water. Deputies with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office River Patrol Unit estimate the water temperature on that day to be around 57 degrees.

While the patient was conscious, he was reportedly extremely cold and disoriented. Throughout the course of the rescue, the patient started to deteriorate. 

Florea provided updates to a BOEC call taker while requesting paramedics. Throughout the rescue’s duration, the patient can be heard shivering in the background. 

Florea calmly and compassionately reassured the patient that help would arrive soon.

The area where Florea pulled the man to shore has extremely limited vehicle access. Florea’s knowledge of the local geography on Hayden Island allowed Portland Fire & Rescue’s Marine Program and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office River Patrol Unit to locate both men.

Firefighters and paramedics treated the patient on scene. 

American Medical Response, Inc. (AMR) took the patient to the hospital.

The person Solomon rescued reportedly had the appropriate boating and water safety equipment, including a flotation device, whistle and cellphone, but still could not self-rescue.  

Doctors treated and released the patient. No additional details about him can be released. 

Multnomah County is fortunate to have such great access to local waterways for recreational and commercial purposes. However, both the Columbia and Willamette rivers can be dangerous year-round. The primary factors contributing to river rescues and deaths include operator misjudgment, reckless conduct, collisions with other vessels, and passengers falling into the water.

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office reminds boaters and people who will be on or near our local waterways that effective boating starts with a strategic mindset. 

• Always file a float plan with a trusted friend or family member.
• Always maintain situational awareness when on or near local waterways, paying close attention to changing conditions.
• Always wear a properly fitted life jacket or personal floatation device (PFD) whenever near or on waterways.
• Enroll in boater safety and first aid courses that focus on water rescue and survival
• Ensure your life jacket and other rescue equipment, such as emergency rescue buoys and other throwable flotation devices are stored in a manner for quick access in an emergency situation.
• Ensure your watercraft is prepared with lifesaving equipment as required by Oregon law.
• Never operate a watercraft of any type or swim in bodies of water while impaired. 

DOWNLOADABLE MATERIAL

• BOEC 911 calls

Note: There are three calls in total. The first is the initial 911 call, the last two are outgoing calls from BOEC to Florea as firefighters and MCSO deputies responded.

About MCSO’s River Patrol Unit

The River Patrol Unit provides public safety services to 110 miles of waterways in Multnomah County, including the Columbia, Willamette and Sandy rivers, as well as the Multnomah Channel. River Patrol Unit deputies respond to emergency calls for service, provide boating-safety examinations and conduct criminal and accident investigations. Created in 1960, the River Patrol Unit is well established, the team of deputies are very active in the community, often attending events and expos, and providing outreach and educational opportunities year-round.

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Editor’s Note: The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is providing audio files of Florea’s 911 call in cooperation with the City of Portland’s Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC). Please credit BOEC when using their audio. All necessary redactions have been made by BOEC.