Officer Evin Eustice Named City of St. Helens Employee of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 4, 2019

St. Helens, Ore. – St. Helens Police Sergeant Evin Eustice was named the 2018 City of St. Helens Employee of the Year at the City’s annual employee recognition banquet on February 1, 2019.

Sgt. Eustice was one of 13 employees nominated by his peers for the award. His nominators described him as positive, professional, humble, and someone who consistently takes initiative and holds himself accountable.

In 2018, Sgt. Eustice worked with the St. Helens Municipal Court to streamline the process for defendants to see the judge by implementing a camera system between the jail and court that freed up officers’ time previously needed to transport defendants. He also arranged meetings between the judge, prosecutor, and officers to open a much-needed line of communication between law enforcement and the judicial system.

In April 2018, Sgt. Eustice responded to a reported overdose call. When he arrived on scene, he found the victim unconscious and having difficulty breathing. Recognizing that the victim was suffering from an opiate overdose and that seconds could mean the difference between life and death, he quickly administered Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, saving the individual’s life.

Along with Officer Bryan Cutright, Sgt. Eustice responded to a St. Helens residence in December 2018 where a teenage male was reported to be suffering from a mental breakdown. While speaking to the teenager, both officers found out that the teenager recently had his bicycle stolen and often used the bike to decompress and reduce his anxiety. Without seeking recognition, both officers used their own money to buy the teen a new bicycle so that he could continue to have a healthy outlet for his anxiety.

Sgt. Eustice was hired as a patrol officer with the St. Helens Police Department in August 2016. He was promoted to sergeant in June 2018. He holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice and previously worked for Marion County Jail and Forest Grove and Beaverton police departments.

The St. Helens Employee of the Year program was implemented in 2013. An employee of the year is someone who consistently exemplifies behaviors that reflect favorably on the City. He or she is an employee that goes above and beyond on a regular basis; someone who goes the extra mile to help customers, both internally and externally; responds to inquiries in an efficient and timely manner; regularly participates in employee-related events; puts the City’s interests and the interests of his or her co-workers above their own; has an exemplary attendance record; behaves off duty in a manner that reflects positively on the City since City employees are public officials even outside work; has a positive attitude no matter the circumstances; and is noticed by people in and out of the organization.

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For further information regarding the employee of the year program, please contact City Recorder Kathy Payne at 503-366-8217 or by email at kathy@ci.st-helens.or.us.