Written by Jan Brincat, Assistant to Sheriff Brian Burnett, CCSO

Published: 15 August 2020

The pictures above are of “Perc 30” pills that have been seized by local Law Enforcement.

Over the last 3 months the Columbia River Drug Task Force has seen an increase in Fentanyl in the Wenatchee Valley. Specifically, Fentanyl disguised as prescription medication in pill form. The pills are small, round, blueish in color, and imprinted with an “M” on one side and a “30” on the opposite side. They are being referred to as “Perc 30’s” and trying to be passed as a Percocet pill. Percocet is a brand name for a pain killer of oxycodone and acetaminophen. “Perc 30’s” are being produced with a binding agent and fentanyl, in make shift labs that do not have the ability to control the amount of fentanyl in each pill. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 100 times more potent than morphine.

The Valley has seen an increase in overdose reports leading to near death experiences or even death. The law enforcement community has also suffered unintended exposure to the drug leading to medical treatment. It has been explained that the amount of Fentanyl equal to the size of a sugar packet has the potential for over 500 lethal doses.

Information about Fentanyl can be found at https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/fentanyl 

You can submit tips on these pills or any other drug activity at the following link on the Chelan County Sheriff’s web page: https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/sheriff/forms/submit-a-tip

Written by Jason Mathews, Undersheriff, CCSO

Published: 13 August 2020

On May 18, 2020 the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported domestic violence incident in the Leavenworth area. Based on the investigation a 69 year old (male) Leavenworth resident was arrested on a mandatory domestic violence assault charge. The subject was walking under his own power and very coherent with no visible signs of injuries, although it was noted he was highly intoxicated. At no point during the investigation or arrest of the subject was police use of force applied. A portion of the incident investigation was recorded on patrol vehicle dash cameras and most, if not all was audio recorded by recorders worn by Chelan County Deputies.

The subject was booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center on the State mandated assault charge. He was placed into a holding cell by himself. During a regular hourly check, jail staff found him on the floor unable to move his legs but still coherent. Most of the subject’s movements within the jail were video recorded.

The subject was transported to Central Washington Hospital and then transferred to Harborview Medical Center. That subject recently passed away while in the care of Harborview Medical Center.

On June 24, 2020, prior to the subject’s death the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office in cooperation with the Chelan County Regional Justice Center contacted the Columbia Basin Investigative Team (CBIT) to provide an independent review of the investigation and the injuries of the subject. In addition to the independent review by CBIT, a non-law enforcement community member from Chelan County was assigned to the investigative team for transparency and oversight.

CBIT’s investigation is still ongoing and will be made available once it has been completed. The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office and Chelan County Regional Justice Center will not be able to provide further comment until CBIT’s investigation has concluded.

Written by Sergeant Kent Sisson, CCSO

Published: 13 July 2020

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WENATCHEE, WA - Sheriff Brian Burnett reports an injured hiker was rescued Sunday after suffering a fall while hiking in steep terrain above Ingalls Creek on Saturday afternoon. Tristan Parrish (22yoa) of Leavenworth, WA is in serious but stable condition at Central Washington Hospital.

Parrish was hiking with his father, brother and a friend at around noon on Saturday when he fell approximately 50 feet after slipping on slick rocks. The group had been traversing a steep slope east of the Crystal Creek drainage (above Ingalls Creek) attempting to make their way to Crystal Lake when the accident occurred. Parrish suffered head, knee and ankle injuries in the tumbling fall. There was no cellular service in the area, so his 16-year old brother and the friend eventually hiked back down to the Ingalls Creek Trail and then several miles back toward the trailhead to place the call for help. Parrish’s father stayed with him at the scene.

The 911 call was received by RIVERCOM dispatch at 7:04pm Saturday evening. A Chelan County Sheriff’s Office search and rescue coordinator requested a Sheriff’s Office helicopter crew fly into the area in an attempt to locate the subjects, while a Chelan County Mountain Rescue (CCMR) team prepared to deploy on the trail. There were no coordinates for the scene, as the hiking party did not have a GPS unit or similar device. Due to extreme winds aloft in the area, the helicopter was unable to reach an elevation to conduct the search. Two CCMR members met up with the 16 year old on the trail and began hiking back toward the drainage where the incident occurred. Due to darkness, it became too dangerous to climb the steep rocky slopes, so the team waited for daylight.

At 8:30am on Sunday, the CCMR team located the patient and his father on the slope. A Navy helicopter was requested for a hoist extraction. By 11:45am, the Navy rescue crew had arrived overhead and successfully hoisted Tristan Parrish, his father and brother to the aircraft. They were flown to Pangborn Memorial Airport in East Wenatchee. Tristan was then transported by ambulance to Confluence Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee.

Written by Sgt. Kent Sisson, CCSO

Published: 08 July 2020

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports an injured climber was rescued from Mount Stuart late Tuesday evening.

At 12:28pm Tuesday, the KITTCOM emergency dispatch center in Ellensburg, WA received a 911 call from a Pete Schoepke (43yoa) who stated he had fallen approximately 100 feet while descending the Cascadian Couloir route off the southeast aspect of the mountain. Schoepke reported he had an open compound fracture to his left lower leg. He was by himself on the mountain.

The information was forwarded to Chelan County Sheriff’s Office search and rescue coordinators. A hoist capable helicopter was requested via State Emergency Management. Naval Air Base Whidbey Island accepted the mission. SAR coordinators were able to communicate with Schoepke directly via text messaging while the rescue was being organized.

Due to winds and low clouds in the area of Schoepke at the 8.645ft elevation level on the mountain, the Navy rescue crew was initially only able to insert two medic corpsman below scene who made their way to the patient. After several hours waiting for a better weather window, the Navy helicopter crew determined the weather was not clearing and it may be necessary to lower Schoepke to a more accessible location below the cloud cover. Three Chelan County Mountain Rescue CCMR) personnel were staged at Pangborn Airport in East Wenatchee. The team was picked up by the Navy rescue Blackhawk, flown to Mount Stuart and inserted to a location below the patient.

Written by North Central Washington Law Enforcement Leadership Group

Published: 25 June 2020

In response to many inquiries on the Governor’s recent proclamation regarding face coverings, we want to communicate we will continue to focus on crimes and criminals which impact public safety.

The statewide face covering order is a public health and safety measure, it is not a mandate for local law enforcement response.

We encourage our community to take the necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of all.

Written by Jan Brincat, Assistant to Sheriff Brian Burnett, CCSO

Published: 25 June 2020

Sheriff Brian Burnett advises on June 24, 2020, after receiving news of the Governor’s recent proclamation regarding face coverings, he has received many inquiries regarding wearing a mask while carrying a concealed firearm.

Carrying a concealed firearm while wearing a mask is authorized providing the carrier has a valid Concealed Pistol License, and follows RCW 9.41.050. Keeping that in mind, also be sure to review RCW 9.41.300 for information on areas where firearms are permitted.

Following is the link to the cited RCW’s: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.41

Written by Chief Jason Reinfeld, CCSO

Published: 17 May 2020

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports on Friday, May 15th, 2020 the body of Jed Thorp was located in the Wenatchee River near milepost 7 on Chiwawa Loop Road.

Mr. Thorp was reported missing to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, May 11th after wandering from his campsite Sunday evening. He had been camping with family over the weekend. Family members searched for him Monday until approximately 2:00 PM when they called for assistance.

A search was initiated by CCSO Deputies as well as Chelan County Volunteer Search and Rescue personnel. The search was suspended at dark.

On Tuesday the river was searched by Chelan County Swift Water Rescue personnel. This was followed up on Wednesday by a large search group who searched the area between Chiwawa Loop Road and the Wenatchee River.

On Friday, May 15th, a CCSO helicopter was deployed to search the river due to improved weather conditions. At about 3:00 PM approximately 1 mile downstream from the campsite a suspicious object was seen. Swiftwater and Marine patrol members responded and recovered Mr. Thorp’s body.

The circumstances surrounding Mr. Thorp’s death are under investigation.

Written by Sheriff Brian Burnett, CCSO

Published: 26 April 2020

Sheriff Brian Burnett proudly announces that Chelan County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Sergeant Adam Musgrove has been selected to be promoted to Chief of Patrol, tentatively scheduled for July 1, 2020. This is following the recent announcement of Chief of Patrol Rick Johnson being selected as the next Chief for East Wenatchee Police Department.

Sergeant Musgrove has been with the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office since March 1, 2012 when both he and his wife decided to move to East Wenatchee in order to be closer to family. He was born in Hawaii and grew up in Oak Harbor where he graduated high school in 1996. He served on active duty in the Navy from 1996-2006 and he continues to serve in the U.S. Navy Reserve, as he approaches 25 years of service and holds the rank of Senior Chief.  He spent a majority of his Navy career as a Patrol Leader in the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command community where he deployed several times overseas. Musgrove joined the Sedro Wooley Police Department in 2006 where he worked until being hired by Sheriff Burnett in 2012. Musgrove was promoted to Sergeant for the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office in September 2017, and is currently a nightshift supervisor for a patrol squad.  He runs the Reserve Program for CCSO and is a Domestic Violence instructor. He has organized two Reserve Academies and one Citizens Academy. He has served as a Field Training Officer and is close to becoming an FTO Instructor.  He created and runs the CCSO Santa’s Stars program every year. Sergeant Musgrove has completed a course in Police Leadership, “the West Point Model” and more recently a Senior Leadership Course at the Navy War College. He lives in East Wenatchee and is married with 2 daughters.

Sergeant Musgrove brings some great leadership qualities to the Sheriff’s Office and the Chief of Patrol position. Sheriff Burnett says that although he is sad to see his current Chief of Patrol Rick Johnson leave, he is equally excited about the future of the Sheriff’s leadership growth, both in the command level and first line supervisors who are such an essential part of our operations and leadership. Sheriff Burnett says, “This is an exciting time of growth for the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office and I’m personally excited and confident with the staff we have to lead us successfully into the future.”

Written by Jason Reinfeld, Chief of Special Operations, CCSO

Published: 26 April 2020

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports on April 20th, 2020 at approximately 7:45 am, a rollover collision was reported in the area of Swakane Canyon. The reporting party, who has now been determined to be the passenger said the vehicle, a Toyota Tacoma had rolled over and was on top of the driver. The driver has been identified as 18 year old Meghann Dodge of East Wenatchee. The passenger told RiverCom Ms. Dodge was not breathing and eventually said she was unable to perform CPR due to her position underneath the truck.

Chelan County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and a Department of Fish and Wildlife Officer responded to the scene. They found Ms. Dodge deceased when they arrived. A CCSO collision investigator is investigating the collision with the assistance of a Washington State Patrol Detective for scene diagramming. So far the investigator has determined Ms. Dodge and her passenger drove from Cashmere up Nahahum Canyon Road and started down Swakane Canyon. When they were approximately 7.3 miles from highway 97A, the vehicle left the roadway at a low speed and rolled over on it’s top. Ms. Dodge was partially ejected and the vehicle came to a rest on top of her.

The investigator has not yet determined the cause of the collision. There were no other vehicles involved. The passenger was transported to CWH with minor injuries.