Salem-News.com Polk County Sheriff articles

Oregon Police Department Goes Green; Reports Taxpayer Savings

Polk County Sheriff's Deputies reported no change in vehicle performance after the switch to propane autogas.

(DALLAS, Ore. ) - One year after converting its gasoline patrol vehicles to propane autogas, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office - based in Dallas, Oregon - is reporting significant fuel savings and reduced emissions.

Within 18 months, the department saved $25,000 in fuel costs and took advantage of a 2013 federal tax credit worth another $8,000.

Monmouth Man Killed in High Speed Crash

Anyone with information regarding this accident is encouraged to contact the Polk County Sheriff's Office at 503-623-9251.

(INDEPENDENCE, Ore.) - A Monmouth man was killed Monday afternoon in a single vehicle accident on Corvallis Road near Haley Road south of Independence.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office says at 3:00 p.m. deputies, Polk County Fire District #1, and Oregon State Police were called to the scene of crash involving a 1989 Honda Civic.

Public Meeting to Address Public Safety Concerns in Polk County

Polk County District Attorney Aaron Felton will address all public safety issues and concerns at 7:30 a.m., on Tuesday, August 5, at the Courtyard Coffee House, 156 SE Mill Street in Dallas.

(DALLAS, Ore. ) - Residents of Polk County are invited to an open meeting with the Polk County District Attorney to discuss and listen to the public's idea's about current public safety issues the county is currently facing.

The Sheriff's office reduced patrols to 10 hours per day on March 29, due to funding reductions. The impact has been a total of 332 calls from citizens during the hours of 10:00 p.m. to noon since March 29 through May 31 in which no deputies were available to respond.

Funeral for Polk County Deputy Killed in West Salem Crash Set

Sgt. Whittaker was a huge fan of NASCAR, the Oregon Ducks, and the NFL's Tennessee Titans.

(DALLAS, Ore. ) - Funeral services have been set for a 15 year veteran of the Polk County Sheriff's Office who died following a car crash in West Salem on July 19.

48-year-old Randy W. Whittaker of Dallas, was a Sergeant with the sheriff's office, and will be laid to rest on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 320 SE Fir Villa, in Dallas, Ore.

Oregon Sheriff: Budget Cuts Giving Bad Guys the Upper Hand

A noticeable change has been a 30 percent reduction in warrants being served.

(DALLAS, Ore. ) - Polk County Sheriff Bob Wolfe continues to express concern regarding the ability of his agency to handle calls due to loss of staff and budget reductions.

Sheriff Bob Wolfe said, "Since July of last year we have lost several experienced deputies and reduced our patrol hours to just 10 hours per day in March of this year"

Second Drive By Shooting Suspect Identified

The Silver Honda Accord that one of the suspects had been seen driving is no longer of interest in this case.

(DALLAS, Ore. ) - The Polk County Sheriff's office has identified the second involved person in a drive by shooting on June 8 in Falls City known initially as "Scotty".

"Scotty" has been identified as 31-year-old Scott Newton of the Mill City area. Scott Newton also goes by the nickname, "sidewinder".

Large Amounts of Meth and Herion Seized in Polk County

During the investigation, police seized nearly 2 pounds of methamphetamine and over 2 ounces of heroin.

(DALLAS, Ore. ) - The Polk County Inter-Agency Narcotics Team on Thursday, completed several drug investigations that began earlier this month.

And one thing was consistent between all of them, large amounts of methamphetamine and heroin where being distributed throughout the non-incorporated parts of Polk County and also in the cities of West Salem, Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and Grand Ronde.