St. Helens Police Department Announces Service Award Recipients, Officer of the Year for 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 25, 2025

St. Helens, Ore. - The St. Helens Police Department has announced 2024 commendation awards recognizing St. Helens officers for their exemplary service, conduct, and life-saving efforts that went above and beyond the normal high standards of their positions. A St. Helens officer of the year has also been announced.

OFFICER OF THE YEAR

Patrol Officer Jamin Coy was selected as the St. Helens Police Department’s Officer of the Year. Officer Coy was described as one of the hardest working officers. He was recognized for his professionalism, courage, and dedication. He never hesitates to fill open shifts and responds to assist his fellow officers at all hours. In 2024, Officer Coy was involved in two calls where his actions helped save the lives of St. Helens citizens. He also assisted in apprehending a suspect who stabbed and nearly killed a St. Helens resident.

OFFICER COMMENDATIONS

In addition to officer of the year, the St. Helens Police Department has awarded multiple commendations to officers for extraordinary accomplishments in 2024. Commendations are given to recognize exemplary officer conduct that goes beyond the high level of professional conduct expected of employees of the St. Helens Police Department. A Commendations Board reviews and approves the recommendations for commendation. The St. Helens lieutenant oversees the board and additional members include one sergeant and three officers. Department members take turns serving on the Board.

Life Saving Award

The Life Saving Award is given to an officer for an extraordinary act or effort that resulted in the saving of a human life or lives that would have died without the officer’s direct involvement. This may include a situation involving more than routine first aid, steadfast medical intervention, life threatening immediate emergency situations that an officer was not trained or equipped to handle, or heroic physical intervention.

Officers Jamin Coy and Brandon Haflich in response to a medical emergency where a citizen was discovered unresponsive and not breathing. Officers administered medical aid until medical personnel arrived, and the citizen made a full recovery.   

Officers Jamin Coy, Luke Marshall, and Brandon Haflich in response to a citizen suffering a medical emergency. Officers deployed an AED and administered CPR until medical personnel arrived on scene to take over lifesaving efforts. The citizen eventually made a full recovery.

Officer Terry Massey in response to a motor vehicle accident where a citizen was suffering a medical emergency. Officer Massey administered first aid and the individual ultimately made a full recovery.  

Officer Adam Raethke in response to a citizen suffering a medical emergency. Officer Raethke administered CPR and medical aid before medical personnel arrived on scene. The individual made a full recovery.   

Sergeant Evin Eustice and Officer Adam Raethke in response to a citizen suffering a medical emergency. Officers administered CPR and medical aid and the individual recovered.

Exemplary Service Award

The Exemplary Service Award is presented to an individual or unit for a singular accomplishment of substance without risk to personal safety but under adverse and difficult conditions.

Sergeant Jeremy Howell in response to a fraud at an area credit union involving the theft of $30,000. After an investigation, Sgt. Howell was able to identify the suspect. The suspect was taken into custody and indicted on numerous charges.

Sergeants Douglas Treat and Matthew Smith and Officers Jonathon Sprinzl, Luke Marshall, Brandon Haflich, and Jamin Coy in response to a possible child abuse call. A minor was located and found to have sustained significant injuries. During the investigation, a second child abuse victim was discovered. The suspect was arrested on multiple charges.

Sergeants Jon Eggers, Matthew Smith and Jeremy Howell, Detective Kolten Edwards, Officers Jamin Coy, Dylan Gaston, Brandon Haflich, Adam Raethke, and Adam Hartless, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Brent Thompson and Corporal Ben Krueger, and Scappoose Officer Steve Barnes in response to a stabbing where the victim sustained life-threatening injuries and the suspect refused to surrender to law enforcement. A standoff ensued, the area was closed off, and the suspect was eventually apprehended without additional injury to anyone involved.

Sergeants Jon Eggers, Evin Eustice, and Matthew Smith, Detective Kolten Edwards, and Officers Jamin Coy and Dylan Gaston for apprehending a suspect who was reported to have sexual contact with a minor.  

Meritorious Service Award

The Meritorious Service Award is presented to an individual member, or to a unit acting as a team, for a highly unusual accomplishment under adverse conditions with some degree of hazard to life to the member, unit, or another person.

Sergeant Douglas Treat and Officers McKenzie McClure and Jamin Coy in response to the report of an intoxicated and suicidal subject who was separately reported to be armed. The individual was reported to be pointing a firearm at passing vehicles which officers confirmed when they arrived on scene. Officers were able to deescalate the situation and the individual surrendered to officers without further incident.

Community Service Award

This commendation is awarded to an individual member, or to a unit acting as a team, for rendering an extraordinary service to the community without risk to personal safety.

Code Enforcement Officer Everardo Medina for spearheading the St. Helens Police Department’s Wellness Program, assisting on-duty officers with vehicle transports, and representing the Department at numerous community events. As wellness coordinator, Medina has established a fully functional gym for use by police staff.

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For further information regarding this press release, please contact Communications Officer Crystal King at cking@sthelensoregon.gov.