05/26/2026
During the holiday weekend, Baker County Search and Rescue was deployed after receiving a report of a missing elderly man in the Sumpter area who failed to return to his camp after leaving on an ATV. He was reported to have several health conditions and was not prepared to spend the night outdoors.
Search and Rescue members and BCSO Deputy Rosin responded to the scene and searched for four hours in the middle of the night. At daylight, an additional six SAR members, along with Sheriff Ash, Lt. Downing and Deputy Robb, were deployed to relieve the initial team. The subject ultimately returned to his camp mid-morning. He was taken to the hospital by family members as a precaution.
Baker County Sheriff's Office would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Baker County Search and Rescue. SAR members are dedicated volunteers who go through an application process and an intensive training task book. Members are required to complete a minimum number of training hours per year and usually train approximately 1-2 times per month. Often, they use their own resources, including vehicles and ATVs, when participating in trainings and missions.
In 2025, SAR members donated 1,028 hours and deployed on 13 missions. We recognize these training hours and mission deployments mean time away from their families and responsibilities, particularly on weekends and holidays. They don't volunteer for the recognition or a pat on the back; they volunteer because they truly care about their community.
We would also like to thank our media partners at Elkhorn Media Group and Baker City Herald who were instrumental in sharing information regarding the missing individual on social media and over the radio.
