OSSA Honors CCSO, Dec. 18

CCSO news release.  At the annual winter conference for the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association (OSSA) in Bend, Oregon, three Coos County Sheriff’s Office deputies received awards for service. At the awards banquet, Sheriff Craig Zanni, command staff and families of the award recipients came together with other awardees to be recognized by this state wide organization. Deputy Ernie Mitchell was awarded the Distinguished Action Award for his role in an incident on February 22, 2017 in Lakeside. On that day Deputy Mitchell responded to assist fellow Coos County Deputy Theran Coleman who was investigating a hit and run call. Deputy Mitchell located the suspect nearby. In an attempt to detain and question the suspect the man began to physically fight with Deputy Mitchell. As the two of them went to the ground Deputy Mitchell felt a snap in his right ankle. Although in severe pain Deputy Mitchell continued to fight the resisting and assaultive suspect landing focused blows on the suspect which enabled him to take the suspect into custody. Deputy Mitchell suffered a broken fibula in his leg as a result of the fight. The Oregon State Sheriff’s Association honored Deputy Mitchell with the Distinguished Action Award. Deputy Mitchell has been with the Coos County Sheriff’s Office for 17 years working in corrections, and patrol, as well as assignments in dunes and timber patrols, and as a narcotics detective. Chief Civil Deputy Tyrone Hansen, an 11 year veteran of the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, was awarded the Civil Deputy of the Year by OSSA. Deputy Hansen was originally hired in 2005 but was laid off during the budget reductions in 2007 then rehired within a few months. Deputy Hansen worked in the Corrections Division until transferring to the Civil Division in 2014. Deputy Hansen has been instrumental in organizing the civil division in its operations and streamlining paperwork. Deputy Hansen continues to be the driving force behind the civil division and its work output. Captain Daniel Looney, the commander of the Criminal Division, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the OSSA. Captain Looney’s career began as a patrol deputy 1983 and has spanned 34 years. Captain Looney has held many assignments to include but not be limited to patrol, timber patrol, narcotics detective, South Coast Interagency Team (SCINT) director, detective sergeant and captain. Captain Looney is known for his dedicated and unwavering service to the Coos County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Coos County. Captain Looney is often seen at work before his shift begins and long after it ends. He is a long time member of the Major Crime Team who has led many of its investigations. Captain Looney was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the OSSA.