Okanogan County Sheriff Office

10/30/2026

Halloween is Saturday night. While out trick or treating in the dark use caution crossing streets and drivers slow down and watch for all the goblins, ghouls, witches and princesses. Happy Halloween!

10/28/2026

It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers.

Sheriff Myers was elected in 2003 and dedicated many years of service to law enforcement and the communities he served. His commitment to public service and the law enforcement profession leaves a lasting impact.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sheriff Myers’ family, friends, and the members of the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office during this difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew and worked alongside him.

10/14/2026

**Update #2**
911 operations and Call handling have been restored to normal operations.

**Update**
Calls to 911 are rerouted to and answered by Rivercom. Information is being relayed to Okanogan for unit dispatch.
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Okanogan 911 and other dispatch centers are currently not receiving 911 calls. We are in contact with software and network vendors to correct the outage. Currently no estimate to a time for restoration.

10/11/2026

****UPDATE****

Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office – Aircraft Wreckage Recovery Update
October 12, 2026

At approximately 1630 hours on October 11, 2026, the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office was notified the aircraft wreckage had been located in the Aeneas Valley area. We were advised there were no survivors.

The wreckage was located in a remote area with steep terrain and difficult access. Sheriff’s Office personnel were committed to the recovery mission to bring both men from the crash site. Just before midnight, both men were brought to the staging area and transferred into the care and custody of the coroner.

On October 12, 2026, representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) arrived at the Sheriff Office and were escorted to the wreckage site to conduct their investigation.

The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of both men during this difficult time. We also express our sincere gratitude to the air support personnel from the state and neighboring counties who assisted in the search and recovery efforts. Their support and cooperation were invaluable throughout this operation.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office
October 11, 2026

Search Continues for Missing Aircraft in Okanogan County
OKANOGAN COUNTY, Wash. — The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office is actively assisting in the search for a missing 1976 Piper Cub aircraft carrying a pilot and one passenger who departed Penticton, British Columbia, en route to Grangeville, Idaho.

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Air Search and Rescue initiated search operations Saturday evening, focusing initially on the aircraft’s last known radar locations between Oroville and Okanogan. Search efforts have since expanded, with current areas of interest including the Aeneas Valley and Wauconda, Washington, areas and surrounding mountainous terrain.

The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office is working alongside WSDOT Air Search and Rescue, Civil Air Patrol, Okanogan County Emergency Management, and other responding agencies to coordinate search efforts.

Increased Air Traffic in Search Areas:

Residents in the Aeneas Valley, Wauconda, and surrounding communities should expect heavy air traffic as multiple aircraft conduct search operations throughout the area.

The public is asked to remain aware of increased aviation activity and avoid operating personal drones in or near active search areas, as unauthorized drone activity could interfere with search and rescue aircraft.

Public Assistance Requested:

The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may have seen or heard an aircraft Saturday evening, noticed anything unusual, or has information that could assist in locating the missing plane to contact authorities.

Anyone with information is encouraged to provide the approximate time and location of any possible sighting, along with any relevant photographs or videos.

Please contact:

• Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office: 509-422-7200
• Washington State Emergency Operations Center: 800‑258‑5990

For safety reasons, the public is asked not to conduct independent air or ground searches or enter private property without permission. Anyone who discovers possible aircraft debris should avoid disturbing the area and immediately notify authorities.

The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the public’s assistance and the continued cooperation of all agencies and personnel involved in the search. Additional updates will be provided as information becomes available and is confirmed.

UPDATE: MISSING PILOTS – PLEASE SHARE

The two individuals aboard the missing aircraft have been identified as James and Nicholas.

We ask residents in the Tonasket area to remain vigilant and report any possible sightings or information that may assist search crews.

Please share to help spread awareness.

Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office
Phone: 509-422-7200
Email: [email protected]

10/09/2026

Okanogan County SAR volunteers assisted an injured hiker near Cutthroat Pass on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest yesterday. The hiker had experienced an ankle injury and was unable to walk out on their own. Volunteers hiked in approximately 5.5 miles to reach the injured person with a wheeled litter setup to assist her back to the trailhead. Another SAR Volunteer rendezvoused with the group partway down the trail and the hiker was transferred to a horse for the rest of the ride to the trailhead. The Sheriff’s Office is grateful to our team of dedicated SAR volunteers and their assistance in this lengthy extrication.

On a related note, many of the trails in the Highway 20 corridor are incredibly busy right now with folks looking to experience the larches changing color. It’s estimated that about 7,600 people hiked the Heather-Maple Pass Loop trail last weekend alone. Be aware of additional pedestrians and traffic in these areas. The recent sunny and pleasant weather we’ve had is also forecast to shift dramatically to cold, windy and potentially snowy conditions in the mountains this weekend. Please plan ahead and prepare for any conditions you may encounter out there!

10/05/2026

ASSISTANCE REQUESTED – WELFARE CHECK

The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in locating Derek McNeil.

McNeil is the subject of a welfare check and is not wanted by law enforcement.

McNeil is a 38-year-old male with light brown hair and blue eyes, 6’0 tall and 190 pounds. He is known to frequent the towns of Oroville and Omak.

Anyone who may have seen Derek McNeil or has information regarding his current whereabouts is asked to contact the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office 509-422-7232 #4. Case number S26-06187.

10/04/2026

10/01/2026

Okanogan County Public Safety Radio Communications Network took a step forward today as initial agencies started using the improved radio network. In the central county area Sheriff's Office Deputies and Omak Police Officers are the first to use the improved radio network.

Additional agencies are tentatively planned to start using the new system later this fall.

The installation of radio network improvements begins this fall, winter and through summer 2027. As the work proceeds additional police, fire and EMS agencies will be transitioned to the improved radio network.

10/01/2026

COURTHOUSE PARKING AND ENTRANCE CLOSURE

On Monday, October 5, 2026, street parking in front of the courthouse will be closed from Pine Street to Oak Street.

Additionally, the main front stairs leading to the courthouse will be closed during this time.

The closures are necessary to allow the Fire Department to conduct scheduled fire hose testing.

Please use caution in the area and plan accordingly for alternate parking and courthouse access. We appreciate your cooperation while this necessary testing is completed.