Valley County Sheriff's Office

09/27/2026

🔔 The Liberty Bell made its way through Valley County today! 🇺🇸

Deputy Van Dyk had the opportunity to join Idaho State Police Trooper Knapp in McCall as Idaho’s newly restored Liberty Bell continued its statewide tour.

As part of America’s 250th celebration, the bell is traveling through all 44 Idaho counties, giving Idahoans a chance to see this historic symbol of freedom up close. The bell originally came to Idaho in 1950, toured communities across the state, and was later installed at the Idaho State Capitol. More than 75 years later, it’s making the journey again!

Pretty neat to have a little piece of history roll through our backyard — let freedom ring! 🔔🇺🇸

09/23/2026

**LOCATED**
Sharing, please be sure to contact the Idaho County Sheriff's Office for any information regarding this incident.

*****Update - Missing Person Thurman - Located*****

On September 23, 2026, at approximately 2:20 PM, Idaho County deputies were searching to the west of Kelly Mountain in the Looking Glass Creek drainage, when Mr. Thurman was located. He was found with minor injuries and was suffering from dehydration.

He was transported by the Idaho Army National Guard helicopter to the 394 Road, where he was met by his family. He was then transported to the bottom of Allison Creek and met by the Riggins Ambulance to be transported to the McCall Hospital.

The Idaho County Sheriff's Office wants to thank the Idaho County Sheriff's Posse and their dog team, Idaho Civil Air Patrol, the Idaho Army National Guard, Mr. Thurman's family and friends, and the Riggins Ambulance for their assistance, and we wish Mr. Thurman a speedy recovery.

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***Search Continuing - September 23, 2026***

The search for Mr. Thurman is continuing today.

Personnel is currently doing a grid search and the Idaho Army National Guard is assisting with aerial support.

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MISSING PERSON — TY RANDOLPH “RANDY” THURMAN

Age: 63
Missing since: September 20, 2026
Last known location: Coffee Can Saddle near Kelly Mountain, outside Riggins, Idaho
Physical description: 6 feet tall, grey hair, grey beard
Last seen wearing: Black and brown shirt, tan-colored pants and a tan hat

Mr. Thurman was hiking in the Coffee Can Saddle area on September 20 when he separated from his hiking partner. They were planning to meet back at their vehicle, but Mr. Thurman did not return.

Search efforts yesterday included personnel from the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho County Sheriff’s Posse, including dog teams, Grangeville Mountain Rescue, Idaho Civil Air Patrol, and an Idaho County drone.

The search will continue today, with the Idaho National Guard Air Guard also assisting with an aerial search.

If you have seen Mr. Thurman, had any contact with him, or have any information that may help locate him, please contact the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office immediately at (208) 983-1100, option 0.

Please share this post to help spread the word and reach anyone who may have been in the area.

09/22/2026

Update 11:56

Traffic is moving at this time; thank you for your patience and understanding.

9/22/26 10:53

We are currently on scene of a vehicle accident on Highway 55 near milepost 117 north of Cascade. Traffic will be delayed due to temporary closures for landing air ambulances. Please be patient and thank you for your cooperation.

09/19/2026

Recently, Valley County Sheriff, Kevin Copperi officially swore in our new Undersheriff, Chief Deputy Jason Piccola.

Before administering the oath, Sheriff Copperi had the opportunity to share a few words with Jason that truly reflect the impact he has made on our agency.

“The way you have supported this agency, supported me, and been unequivocally part of this team from the moment you walked through our doors has not gone unnoticed. Your professionalism was evident from day one, and I can’t express how grateful I am that you chose Valley County and the opportunity to serve our community.”

Jason has earned the respect and trust of this agency through his leadership, professionalism, loyalty, and commitment to service. I am proud to have him serving beside me and even more proud to officially welcome him into this role.
- Sheriff Kevin Copperi.

What made this moment even more meaningful was having Jason surrounded by the people who have been part of his journey. His wife and two daughters were there by his side, and his former Sheriff, Matt Clifford, Ada County Sheriff's Office along with several of Jason’s former teammates, made the trip to Valley County to witness this incredible accomplishment.

Congratulations, Chief Deputy Jason Piccola.

09/19/2026

Missing Person Update: Found
9/19/2026 5:23 pm

Mr Tucker has been located, along with his vehicle. The Valley County Coroner has been in contact with family members. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this time. We extend our deepest condolences and are saddened by the unfortunate circumstances surrounding this case.
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MISSING PERSON
9/18/2026 7:45 pm

MISSING PERSON – DENNIS M. TUCKER

The Valley County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in locating Dennis M. Tucker, 81 years old, who has been entered into NCIC as a missing person.

Mr. Tucker was last seen at Arrowhead RV Park in Cascade, Idaho, on September 13, 2026. The last known contact family had with him was on September 11, 2026, and he has not recently been in contact with friends.

Dennis is believed to be driving a white 2017 Ford F-250 with Idaho license plate 1A264LB. His direction of travel and current whereabouts are unknown. The photo in the flyer is NOT his actual vehicle, it is a stock photo.

The Valley County Sheriff’s Office attempted to locate Mr. Tucker through his cellular phone. The last known location associated with the phone was in the Cascade area.

At this time, Mr. Tucker is not known to suffer from any medical or mental health conditions that would contribute to his disappearance.

If you have seen Dennis Tucker, his vehicle, or have any information regarding his current whereabouts, please contact the Valley County Sheriff’s Office at 208-382-5160.

Please share this information to assist us in locating Mr. Tucker safely.

09/19/2026

MISSING PERSON UPDATE
SOLOMON WILKINS — STILL MISSING

The Valley County Sheriff’s Office, Valley County Search and Rescue, and assisting K-9 teams have continued searching the Meadow Creek Lookout area for any sign of Solomon Wilkins.

08/29/26 — Backcountry Search: Deputies returned to the vehicle location and searched the surrounding area on foot, hiking multiple miles. No evidence or sign of Solomon was located.

08/29/26 — VCSAR Search: Eight Valley County Search and Rescue members responded and searched the area. Searchers located the license plates that had been removed from Solomon’s vehicle. The plates appeared to have been thrown down a ravine. No other items were located.

Weather Delay: Inclement weather temporarily stalled additional search efforts after approximately 2 inches of snow fell at Meadow Creek Lookout.

09/10/26 — Helicopter & Ground Search: Four deputies were flown into the area by helicopter and dropped on separate ridgelines. They searched multiple miles on foot while two additional deputies accessed the area by vehicle. Solomon’s vehicle was recovered and transported to the Valley County Sheriff’s Office.

09/14/26 — K-9 & VCSAR Search: Three K-9 teams and six VCSAR searchers returned to the area and conducted another extensive search. No additional clues were located.

SOLOMON WILKINS REMAINS MISSING

We would like to thank Voodoo Air through contracts with Perpetua Resources for their time and helicopters to fly our deputies into the wilderness to search for Mr. Wilkins; these types of resources and partnerships are priceless.

Our search efforts and investigation remain ongoing. We continue to ask anyone who may have information about Solomon’s whereabouts, or who may have been in the Meadow Creek Lookout, Stibnite and Yellow Pine area, to contact the Valley County Sheriff’s Office at 208-382-5160 or your nearest law enforcement agency.

Please continue to share. Even a small piece of information could be important.

09/18/2026

🎉 Celebrating 5 Years! 🎉

We recently had the opportunity to recognize Deputy Russ Hodges for 5 years of service with the Valley County Sheriff’s Office.

Russ is also the handler and partner of our K-9 Bailey, and together they have become an important part of our team and the community we serve.

Russ, thank you for your dedication, service, and commitment to Valley County, we hope to have you as part of our Sheriff’s Office family for many years to come!

Congratulations on 5 years! 👏🐾

P.S. the coffee mug should also come with donuts, but hey what do we know 🍩

09/18/2026

Grateful for Those Who Stand Behind Our Team

As Sheriff, one of my greatest responsibilities is making sure the men and women of the Valley County Sheriff’s Office have the equipment, resources, and support they need to do their jobs safely and serve our community well.

I am incredibly grateful to the private donor whose generous contribution through the Valley County Sheriff Foundation made it possible to provide our deputies with new Kevlar vests. Seeing our team outfitted with this lifesaving equipment is a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community chooses to support those who serve it.

I also want to recognize the Valley County Sheriff Foundation and the important role it plays alongside our office. The Foundation helps bridge the gap between what traditional funding can provide and the additional resources, programs, equipment, and opportunities that can make a meaningful difference for our deputies and the people we serve.

Those efforts directly support our mission at the Sheriff’s Office. Public safety is certainly about responding when someone needs us, but it is also about being present in our communities, building relationships, reaching our youth and families, and continually finding better ways to serve.

The Foundation relies on donations and the generosity of people who believe in that mission. I am deeply thankful for everyone who has supported them, volunteered their time, attended an event, made a contribution, or helped spread the word.

To the Valley County Sheriff Foundation and to this incredibly generous donor—thank you. We are fortunate to have people standing behind this team, and I don't take that support for granted.

— Sheriff Kevin Copperi
Valley County Sheriff’s Office

The Valley County Sheriff Foundation extends a heartfelt thanks to the generous private donor who contributed $30,000 to purchase new Kevlar vests and essential accessories, helping keep our Sheriff's Deputies safe during their daily duties.

In addition to supporting the needs of the Valley County Sheriff's Office, VCSF also relies solely on donations to care for and maintain our cherished horses, Ike and Cody. We have a number of fundraising events planned in the coming year to create more opportunities to support community outreach programs and keep the Valley County Sheriff's Office Mounted Patrol Unit operational.

09/18/2026

This is an event held for the McCall and surrounding areas for firewood. If you are interested in volunteering or have questions please contact Craig at Heartland Hunger & Resource Center - McCall food bank, information is listed in the flyer.

09/18/2026

*Held Over By Popular Demand*

You have another opportunity to participate, volunteer or receive firewood in the Cascade area. Due to popular demand/need this event will continue this weekend September 18 & 19, 2026. For more information, please reach out to the number listed on the flyer.