MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. – The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) hosted its annual awards ceremony to honor the outstanding public service of its employees, law enforcement partners, and community members.  

“These ceremonies give us a chance to recognize the incredible courage and selfless acts that define the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office,” said MCSO Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell. “By honoring these individuals, we’re living out our values of being present, connected, inspired, and proud. We are doing our best to make sure the work of our deputies and community members never goes unnoticed.”  

This year’s award ceremony covered events that occurred in 2024. MCSO award recipients are selected through a comprehensive, multi-step process. An internal MCSO Awards Committee reviews all nominations, submitting its recommendations to MCSO’s executive team, which makes a final decision.  

Among the awards presented, MCSO recognized 10 people with a letter of commendation. It also presented 30 citations and 21 lifesaving awards – representing eight separate critical incidents. 

The agency recognized four people with the newly created Meritorious Service Medal, for demonstrating a continuous pattern of exceptional service.  

Additionally, the agency presented several members of law enforcement and the broader public safety community with awards related to a plane crash in Fairview, Oregon.

In late August 2024, a small plane crashed into a residential neighborhood, causing a fire and significant destruction. The incident drew national attention. 

The emergency response began with Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) 911 call takers receiving multiple calls about thick black smoke. The call takers provided accurate information to dispatchers, who quickly coordinated fire and law enforcement units from MCSO and Gresham.   

When MCSO deputies arrived on scene, they went door to door evacuating residents and using garden hoses to combat the fire until firefighters arrived.  

The investigation that followed was complex. MCSO detectives secured the debris field and interviewed witnesses. They coordinated with local, regional, and federal officials as the investigation progressed.  

Residents later expressed gratitude for the compassionate way they were treated by MCSO deputies and other first responders, including paramedics and firefighters.  

“This unexpected emergency demonstrated that our deputies coordinate and manage crises with compassion above all else,” said Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell.  

The MCSO also presented the first recipient of the Major James Turney Award. Named after a retired MCSO executive leader, the award recognizes a member who consistently demonstrates kind and genuine care for their colleagues. The awardee, a MCSO deputy, was recognized by Sheriff Morrissey O’Donnell for upholding the agency's values of safety, trust, collaboration, and empowerment. 

Several photos from the MCSO’s awards ceremony are being released. Media may use these photos with credit to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.