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Sheriff’s Office Hosts Drug Take Back Event 

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a Drug Take Back Event on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. This event allows the public to safely dispose of expired or unused medications.

This is a one-day, drive-thru event at 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis. Those interested in dropping off at this location are asked to enter the parking lot off Research Way and follow the signs and directions of the volunteers.

Some items are not allowed at the event. For safety reasons, these include thermometers, intra-venous solutions, needles, EpiPens®, or medical waste of any kind. Illegal drugs are also not accepted. Medications can only be accepted from individual households, not from businesses such as nursing homes, doctor’s offices, or veterinary clinics. A complete list of restricted items is posted on the Sheriff’s Office website at 2024 Drug Take Back Event – Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon (bentoncountyor.gov)

This event is offered as a public safety service to help keep prescription drugs out of the hands of kids or others who might abuse them. Misuse of prescription drugs is a serious problem, especially with teens and young adults.

Additionally, improperly disposing of medications, by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, can lead to contamination of our drinking water. While most drugs can be treated at wastewater treatment plants, some cannot.

Community partners Covanta and Oregon State University are helping support this event, sanctioned by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as part of its National Take-Back Initiative. The Sheriff’s Office is able to offer this service due to the volunteer support of their Reserve Deputies, Auxiliary Team, CERT, and Search and Rescue volunteers. For more information, visit 2024 Drug Take Back Event – Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon (bentoncountyor.gov).

Scheduled Test of the Linn-Benton ALERT Emergency Notification System 

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Benton County Sheriff’s Office would like to announce a test of the Linn-Benton ALERT system on Saturday, March 9th, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.

The test will cover all of Benton County. All traditional land phone lines in the 9-1-1 database will receive the message. Those who have registered other devices with Linn-Benton ALERT will also receive the test message. 

The Linn-Benton ALERT Emergency Notification System is a mass notification system that allows public safety officials to provide rapid notifications to Linn and Benton County residents of emergencies, evacuations, and other urgent events. 

There will be no reason to call the Sheriff’s Office once you receive the message; please do not dial 9-1-1.

Residents can sign up for the Linn-Benton ALERT system as well as learn about emergency preparedness at https://sheriff.bentoncountyor.gov/linn-benton-alert/. As a reminder, each person in the household hoping to receive alerts will need their own profile/account. After signing up for the alerts you will receive all emergency-related notifications related to your location. 

For questions on the mass notification system, email emergencymanagement@bentoncountyor.gov or call 541-766-6864.

Fatal Crash at 53rd St in Corvallis Results in Temporary Road Closure

CORVALLIS, Ore. – On Monday, March 4, 2024, a tragic single-vehicle crash resulted in the death of Brandon Nicolas Meyer, 21, of Corvallis. Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Deputies responded to the scene on 53rd Street at the railroad trestle where Meyer’s vehicle caught fire after striking the trestle. Meyer was pronounced deceased at the scene.


In light of the significant damage to the railroad trestle caused by the crash, the area will remain closed until engineers with the railroad can survey the scene on Wednesday, March 6. A specific time for the reopening of the area will be announced by BCSO following the survey. In the meantime, residents are advised to use West Hills or Reservoir as alternate routes.
The Benton County Crash Team received assistance from the Corvallis Fire Department and Corvallis Police Department at the scene.


Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Brandon Meyer during this difficult time. Any further updates on the situation will be provided by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

Corvallis Farming Accident Takes Life of Dallas Oregon Man

Corvallis, Ore. – On February 1, 2024, at approximately 2:45 p.m., Benton County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Corvallis Fire Department, responded to a tragic incident at a dairy farm south of Corvallis, in which a male lost his life.

Deputies arrived and located David Breyman III, 56, of Dallas, who was unconscious, not breathing, and did not have a pulse. Deputies and citizens on scene attempted lifesaving efforts but were unsuccessful. 

Corvalis Fire Department personnel arrived soon after and were able to assist getting Breyman unpinned by removing part of the wall. They also attempted life saving measures without success.

The incident involved a truck carrying 27 tons of corn meal feed. Breyman was alone and in the process of unloading the feed by using the trailer’s unloading mechanism. It appeared the feed caused the gate to swing open and push him against the barn wall, causing him to be pinned. 

A farm worker was nearby and heard Breyman yell. The worker used his phone to call for help and shut off the trailer unloading mechanism to stop it from piling up more feed. 

Breyman was from Dallas, Oregon and working for a trucking and feed company based out of Polk County.

“We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family, said Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall. “Your dedication to put food on our tables does not go unnoticed and we’re terribly sorry for your loss.”


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Fatal Crash at Highway 20/Highway 180

Involved names released: Edwin Sondenaa was the driver of the log truck; Michael Fetch was the driver of the F150.

CORVALLIS, Ore. – On Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at approximately 3:40 p.m., Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Deputies responded to a two-vehicle single-fatality crash on Highway 20 near Blodgett, Oregon.

A Ford F150 pickup was stopped on Highway 180 waiting to turn eastbound onto Highway 20. For an unknown reason, the driver of the pickup pulled out in front of an unloaded log truck, traveling westbound on Highway 20. The driver of the log truck tried to avoid the collision with the Ford but was unable to. 

The driver of the log truck, a 36-year-old male from Siletz, was transported to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis with minor injuries sustained in the crash. The driver of the pickup truck, a 61-year-old male from Hubbard, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

It does not appear impairment or speed were factors in the crash. 

Highway 20 was closed for approximately two hours while investigators processed the scene.

If you have additional information which may help the investigation, please contact BCSO Deputy Hesseling at erik.hesseling@bentoncountyor.gov or call 541-766-6858.

BCSO would like to thank Oregon State Police, Philomath Fire Department, Philomath Police Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation for their assistance with this incident.

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Benton County Community Emergency Response Team Training

CORVALLIS, Ore. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office invites residents to their Community Emergency Response Team training. The course is 12 hours of online learning, followed by 16 hours in-person. The in-person weekend will be held March 8-10, 2024.

Registration is now open for the course, which includes disaster preparedness, team organization, disaster medical operations, fire safety and disaster psychology.

The Benton County Community Emergency Response Team (BCERT) program is made of dedicated volunteers who train and serve together. With support from Benton County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management, BCERT is working to build a culture of individual preparedness. Members learn what to do before, during, and after an emergency to assist themselves, their family, friends, and neighborhoods.

Over the years, BCERT volunteers have worked in wildfire evacuation shelters, call centers, and pandemic related deployments serving thousands of residents.

BCERT welcomes all abilities and provides a safe, positive, and inclusive experience for those 18 years of age and older. There are valuable skills for everyone who goes through the training. The course is free, and volunteering is optional.

Signups close at 5:00 pm, February 10, 2024, sign up soon! Email cert@bentoncountyor.gov or call 541-766-6050 for more information.

If you have a desire to learn more about BCERT or how to become better prepared, go to https://sheriff.bentoncountyor.gov/bcert/.

Winter Weather Watch for Benton County

Benton County Emergency Management wanted to make you aware of the incoming winter storm that is expected to bring cold temperatures, freezing rain, and possibly snow this weekend. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Watch for Benton County.  The timing and severity of the event may change over the next 24-48 hours, but we wanted to share this information with you and advise caution when traveling this weekend. The worst conditions will most likely be Friday and Saturday night with freezing rain and lows around 20 degrees.  The snow level will drop to 1500 feet and there is forecasted heavy snowfall in the Cascades, Cascade foothills, Cascade canyons, and Coast Range.

You can monitor the road conditions using Trip Check and the County Road Closure Page listed below. Roads will be extremely icy. Please do not call 911 unless there is an emergency.

Rivers and tributaries will experience minor flooding in low lying areas, and do not travel on roads that are flooded.

Other resources:

Benton County Sheriff’s Office Successfully Concludes Their ‘Porch Pirate’ Operation

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of a joint operation with the United States Postal Service. The campaign targeted ‘porch pirates,’ which are individuals involved in the theft of packages from neighborhoods. This operation, conducted from November 27, 2023, to December 23, 2023, was a crucial part of an ongoing commitment to combat property crimes and ensure the safety of the community.

Over the course of four weeks, a total of 24 decoy packages equipped with GPS tracking devices were placed on doorsteps in neighborhoods and businesses identified as hotspots for recent package thefts. This innovative use of technology, coupled with surveillance and community collaboration, led to the arrest of three individuals:

  1. Jerry Michael Wells (34) of Corvallis, faces charges of Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree, Theft in the Second Degree, and Mail Theft.
  2. Roxanne Martinez (64) of Albany, faces charges of Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree, Theft in the Second Degree, and Mail Theft.
  3. Kayla Marie Kidd (30) of Keizer, faces charges of Mail Theft, Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree, Attempting to Elude, Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle, two counts of Theft in the Second Degree, and Reckless Driving.

The success of this operation is a testament to our commitment to employing advanced strategies and technologies in law enforcement. The use of GPS tracking not only led to these arrests, but also serves as a deterrent to those considering similar criminal activities.

The partnership with the United States Postal Service Inspectors was instrumental in the success of this operation. Their assistance and resources enhanced BCSO’s capabilities, demonstrating the power of inter-agency cooperation in law enforcement.

BCSO is thankful to the residents of Benton County for their participation in this operation. Their engagement and cooperation were key elements in the effectiveness of this initiative. This operation is a clear example of the positive outcomes that can be achieved when law enforcement and the community work together towards a common goal.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is committed to continuing collaborative efforts and employing new approaches to ensure the safety and security of our community. They would also like to encourage residents to stay watchful and report any suspicious activities.

For more information, please contact Detective Doug Seirup at 541-766-6061 or doug.seirup@bentoncountyor.gov.

Mushroom Hunter Found and Airlifted to Safety

In a heartwarming turn of events on Thanksgiving Day, Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) search and rescue teams successfully located a missing male looking for mushrooms off Botkin Road, west of Philomath.

The individual, a 77-year-old male from Corvallis, had been reported missing by a family member at approximately 9:30 pm on Wednesday, November 22.

The search operation, which involved the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Marys Peak Search and Rescue, Corvallis Mountain Rescue Unit, and Region 3 K9 Search & Rescue were called out to search for the hiker Wednesday night.

Search efforts continued on Thanksgiving Day with additional assistance from Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Searchers located the missing man on Thursday, November 23 at approximately 3:30 pm, down a steep drainage near a creek. The male was in a weakened state after a recent back surgery and unable to hear the rescuers due to the absence of his hearing aids. Since temperatures dropped, the man said he tried to stay moving throughout the night to stay warm. Unfortunately, he did not have a whistle or other essential gear with him and was wearing wool socks with crocs.

The male was rescued approximately a mile and a half from his vehicle and immediately airlifted to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis for further medical assessment and care.

“Thank you to all who helped on this mission,” stated Sheriff Van Arsdall. “Many volunteers sacrificed time away from family and friends on Thanksgiving Day to ensure this search had a positive outcome. We know you don’t do it for recognition but want the community to know what amazing resources our Office has, to keep the community safe.”

In light of this incident, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office would like to emphasize the importance of being prepared. To assist hikers in ensuring their safety, they would like to highlight ten essential items recommended by the American Hiking Society. To learn more about these essential items, please visit https://americanhiking.org/resources/10essentials/.

29th Annual Shop with a Cop

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is hosting its 29th Annual Shop with a Cop this holiday season. This highly anticipated event aims to bring together law enforcement and social workers to create an opportunity for children to create a positive interaction between children and law enforcement.

Through collaborative efforts with local agencies including Benton County Sheriff’s Office Parole and Probation and the Child Welfare offices of the Department of Human Services, a select group of elementary-aged children have been preselected to participate in this unique experience.

Last year’s event was a resounding success, as law enforcement had the privilege of taking 65 Benton County kids shopping for gifts, surpassing the 2021 participation of 49 children.

Each participant will receive a gift card, allowing them the freedom to choose their own presents. It is worth mentioning, many generous public safety professionals contribute from their own pockets the day of shopping to ensure a child can purchase exactly what they desire.

Shop with a Cop is made possible solely through donations from dedicated law enforcement personnel and community members. Financial contributions are accepted throughout the year and BCSO welcomes any support you can provide. Tax-deductible cash or checks can be made payable to “The Benton County Sheriff’s Foundation” with a memo indicating “Shop with a Cop.” Donations can be dropped off at or mailed to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, located at 180 NW 5th St. Corvallis, OR 97330.

BCSO extends its sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported this program in the past and looks forward to another successful year in bringing joy and positive interactions between law enforcement and children in the community.

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