Released by:          Lt. Bryan Husband, Search and Rescue Coordinator

Rescued:                Rodgers, Katheryn – Bend, OR (58 years old)

Assisted:                Justin Zink, Bend, OR

Assisted:                Ryan Lewis, Portland, OR

 

On 07/21/19, at about 5:34 PM, Deschutes County dispatch received a 911 call reporting a horse rider, later identified as Katheryn Rodgers, had fallen from her horse and sustained serious injuries while riding in the Cultus Lake area. The GPS coordinates indicated that Rodgers was on the Deer Lake Trail on the opposite side of the lake from the Cultus lake boat launch.

Four Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, in addition to a United States Forest Service Officer, initially responded to the call.  Additionally, 19 Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Volunteers including members of the medical and horse teams responded to assist.

Due to Rodgers’ location, it was determined the quickest way to reach her would be by boat.  DCSO Marine Deputies ferried responding units across the lake close to Rodgers’ location. DCSO SAR Volunteers then hiked the remaining distance (approximately .25 miles) to Rogers.  Rodgers was then treated and stabilized before being transported by wheeled litter back to the boat.  DCSO Marine Deputies began to experience mechanical difficulties with their boat.  Recreational boaters in the area, Justin Zink and Ryan Lewis, assisted with ferrying Rogers and DCSO SAR personnel across the lake, where Sunriver Fire and Rescue was waiting. Rodgers was then transported to St. Charles Bend by ambulance for further treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.  Zink also assisted by towing the DCSO Marine boat across the lake as well.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to especially thank Ryan Lewis and Justin Zink for their assistance with completing this rescue mission.                      

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with four K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today lead by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves the nearly 190,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 230 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 187 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.