Law Officer of the Year, Aug. 30

News release CCSO.  On August 28, 2017 the local chapter of La Societe Des Forty and Eight, Voiture 316 bestowed upon Sergeant Adam Slater of the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, Law Officer of the Year for 2017. This society which has been in existence since World War I is made up of veterans in our community who serve charities and their community. 40 and 8 refers to the World War I railroad transportation of men and equipment to the front lines in France. Railroad cars were labeled as being able to carry 40 men, or 8 horses. Hence, the name. Sergeant Slater is a North Bend native who after completing high school joined the US Army. As a young Army volunteer, Adam Slater became an infantryman and rose to become a sergeant and a Bradley Fighting Vehicle commander, serving in the United States and the Republic of Korea. Sergeant Slater returned home and became a deputy sheriff with the Coos County Sheriff’s Office. Sergeant Slater worked in Corrections, then patrol prior to the catastrophic 2007 layoffs within the Sheriff’s Office. Sergeant Slater left the Sheriff’s Office, working for Confederated Tribal Police and the Bandon Police before returning to the Sheriff’s office. Upon his return he began a patrol K-9 program, spearheading with his first dog Neeko and now with K-9 Odin. Currently, K-9 Odin is one of the top police canines in the country. As a team, Sergeant Slater and K-9 Odin have captured 55 suspects and searches for lost persons. K-9 Odin is currently at the Oregon State University Veterinary School due to his fighting a bacterial infection which began in his spine. K-9 Odin is in their intensive care unit and expected to recover. There has been a GoFundMe account started to offset costs of his treatment. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the 40 and 8 for their contributions to our community and for honoring our law enforcement in such a manner.