Sheriff's Office News

On Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at approximately 10:30 a.m., a Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputy in the Jail was performing a routine round when they noticed an adult in custody, 31-year-old Fabian Hernandez, had made an apparent attempt on his life.

On Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at 12:06 p.m. Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a vehicle crash near the intersection of NW Mill Creek Drive and NW Murray Blvd. involving a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. Deputies learned the Volkswagen was stolen at gunpoint in SE Portland earlier in the day.

On August 5, 2022, the Sheriff’s Office took a missing person report from the family of 27-year-old Kaylee Birdzell. On August 7, deputies got information that Birdzell had been murdered and her body was put into the garbage at a local apartment complex. Detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit responded, and the investigation led them to believe Birdzell had been killed.

On Saturday, August 6, 2022, at 1:00 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to make a traffic stop on a gray Subaru Outback near SW 185th Avenue and SW Tualatin Valley Highway in Aloha. Deputies observed the vehicle driving recklessly, almost striking two other vehicles who had to swerve to avoid a collision.

On Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at 4:32 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the Sylvan Heights Condominiums in the 7500 block of SW Barnes Road near Portland. Deputies were told that 36-year-old Eric Lane was at the location and had a felony warrant for his arrest related to a parole violation. Deputies also learned that Salem Police had probable cause to arrest him for robbery in the first degree, coercion, and assault in the fourth degree, all related to a domestic violence incident that occurred approximately ten days earlier. Deputies were told that Lane might also be armed with a handgun he used during the incident in Salem.

This morning, July 26, 2022, Washington County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol deputies resumed their search for the missing swimmer. Deputies were assisted by Lake Oswego Fire Department’s Dive Team and the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.

Over the past several days, law enforcement officers from the Washington County Sheriff's Office and the Hillsboro Police Department have witnessed and received complaints about a motorcycle driving recklessly on Hwy 26 westbound during the early morning hours. At times, law enforcement spotted a motorcycle traveling more than 124 mph. Due to the excessive speeds and concerns for the public, law enforcement officers did not initiate a pursuit of the motorcycle when they witnessed it traveling at excessive speeds.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office welcomes members of the media to a reserved blood drive at the Sheriff's Office at 215 SW Adams Avenue in Hillsboro. On July 20, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. Sheriff Pat Garrett, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Kenny Frentress, Deputy Trotter's wife, Heather, and others plan to donate blood and will be available for interviews.

On July 10, 2022, at 5:20 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a crash at SW 194th Avenue and SW Johnson Street in the community of Aloha. Multiple people called 911 after a driver crashed into two cars. The driver, later identified as 32-year-old Melissa Valdez of Hillsboro, then tried to get away from a witness who tackled her to stop her from fleeing. Valdez said she would stay and removed her shoes, but then ran away barefoot.

On July 8, 2022, just before 5 p.m., detectives assigned to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit and Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team (CART) found and arrested 34-year-old Tyler W. Fetterhoff in Beaverton. They charged Fetterhoff with assault in the second degree, felony failure to perform the duties of a driver (hit and run causing injury), and reckless driving. Diana Petty, the victim of the crash, remains in critical condition.