Cowlitz County Search and Rescue

31/08/2026

PRESS RELEASE
A26-17508 MISSING PERSON - RECOVERY
AUGUST 31, 2026
On August 28, 2026, a citizen located the vehicle belonging to missing person Brent Erickson, on Weyerhaeuser timberland near the 6402 line. Deputies responded to the scene and confirmed Erickson’s vehicle appeared to be stuck in a ditch and was unoccupied. Deputies were unable to locate Erickson at this time, and due to hours of darkness, the scene was secured and a search and rescue mission was initiated the following morning. Cowlitz Search and Rescue searched the area on August 29, 2026, but was unable to locate Erickson.
On August 30, 2026, a Weyerhaeuser Woods Security employee located Erickson’s body approximately ½ mile from his vehicle, in a steep area with thick underbrush. Deputies responded to the scene with the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office and recovered the body. Mr. Erickson’s next of kin was notified of his passing.
An autopsy has been conducted by the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office. The cause and manner of death report is pending.
The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the citizens, staff and volunteers who assisted in the search for Mr. Erickson. Search efforts included over 800 miles of road searches in the St Helens Tree Farm, in addition to ground searches, Human Remains Detection K-9 searches, and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) searches. Searchers from Columbia County (OR) Search and Rescue, Clark County Search and Rescue, Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management Amateur Communication Services, Weyerhaeuser Woods Security, and the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office UAS Unit and Reserve Deputies assisted with this search.
Undersheriff Troy Brightbill
Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office

18/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19bXwaqo2n/

03/07/2026

MISSING: Kenneth Jeffries, 81

The Portland Police Bureau is asking for the public's help finding 81-year-old Kenneth Jeffries, who went missing Thursday morning.

Kenneth left the Portland VA Medical Center around 6 a.m. on July 2 and never returned home. He had a bus pass with him, but it's unclear whether he boarded a bus.

Kenneth has symptoms of dementia and may be lost or confused, raising concerns for his safety.

He is 5-foot-8, weighs about 135 pounds, and has gray hair, blue eyes and a medium-length gray beard. He was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt under a North Face zip-up sweatshirt and black pants with duct tape on the knees. He may have his ID with him and could ask someone for help getting home.

If you see Kenneth, call 911 immediately. If you have non-emergency information about where he may be, email [email protected] and reference case 26-191739.

Please share to help bring Kenneth home safely.

24/06/2026

15/06/2026

🚁🌲 What an incredible day of Search & Rescue training! 🌲🚁

More than 100 SAR personnel came together deep in the woods for a joint training exercise, including teams from Cowlitz Search and Rescue, Clark County Search and Rescue, Volcano Rescue Team, Silver Star Rescue, and Skamania County Search and Rescue.

We battled triple-digit temperatures, hiked countless miles, and bushwhacked through thick terrain to reach patients—all in the name of training, teamwork, and sharpening our skills. It was a fantastic opportunity to work side-by-side with other teams, learn from one another, and gain hands-on experience with a variety of equipment and rescue techniques.

Gallons of water were consumed throughout the day... and probably even more was sweated out! 😅

What many people don't see is that training events like this take an incredible amount of work, dedication, and commitment from our amazing volunteers. These men and women give countless hours of their personal time to ensure they are ready when someone needs help.

But it takes more than volunteers—it also takes funding. The specialized equipment, medical gear, communications systems, vehicles, training, and rescue equipment needed to safely perform our mission all come at a cost.

If you'd like to support the volunteers who are always ready to answer the call, please consider making a donation to your local SAR team:

👉 Donate to Cowlitz Search & Rescue

Every dollar helps equip, train, and support the volunteers who serve our communities.

A huge shoutout to the entire SAR family for showing up, working hard, and making this such a successful training event. Days like these remind us how strong our SAR community is and how much we can accomplish when we train together.

Stay safe, stay hydrated, and stay ready for the next call.

🚁🌲💙

29/05/2026

John was a dedicated member of Cowlitz County Search and Rescue for many years. It is with heavy hearts that we learned of his passing this week. He leaves behind many family members and friends who are mourning his passing. His children were always the most important things in his life. If you are willing we invite you to share this go fund me page, and if you feel so moved to please donate. The monies will pay for memorial expenses and to help support his children.

Please join me in support of the children of John Forsberg.John was among … Ryan Macomb needs your support for Love and Stability for John Forsberg's Children

27/05/2026

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families who have been impacted by the Nippon implosion in Longview yesterday. We know that our entire community is impacted by this event. Be kind to one another as we heal and process our emotions.

22/05/2026

Governor Bob Ferguson has officially proclaimed May 16–22, 2026, as Search and Rescue Recognition Week in Washington state!

🌲 HONORING OUR SEARCH AND RESCUE HEROES 🌲

From the depths of our backcountry to the frontlines of historic natural disasters, Washington’s search and rescue teams are always ready to answer the call.

We are incredibly proud to share that Governor Bob Ferguson has officially proclaimed May 16–22, 2026, as Search and Rescue Recognition Week in Washington state! 🎖️

Every single year, thousands of individuals find themselves in emergency situations requiring critical search and rescue assistance. Our unpaid SAR professionals step up without hesitation—braving treacherous terrain and severe weather conditions at great personal risk to bring the lost and injured home safely.

Whether you are exploring our beautiful national parks or navigating the great outdoors, our SAR community works tirelessly to keep Washingtonians and visitors safe.

Please join Governor Ferguson and the WA State SAR Planning Unit this week in recognizing, thanking, and celebrating the extraordinary courage and compassion of our search and rescue personnel! 🤝⛰️

06/04/2026

🚨 Meet Our Search & Rescue Volunteers 🚨

As part of our foul weather gear funding campaign, we’re proud to introduce the dedicated volunteers who answer the call—no matter the weather or terrain.

Your donation helps provide critical foul weather clothing and equipment, allowing our teams to operate safely in the harsh conditions they face on missions.

Our volunteers stand ready 24/7/365, driven by commitment, courage, and service to others.

⭐ Meet Matt Powers ⭐
Matt Powers has been a dedicated member of Search and Rescue for the past four years. When he’s not volunteering his time to help others, Matt works at Peper’s 49er Restaurant in Castle Rock alongside his wonderful wife, Mandie.

One of Matt’s favorite things about being part of SAR is the challenges the team faces together while working to get people the help they need. For him, the teamwork and shared commitment to helping others are some of the most rewarding parts of the job.

One thing Matt never expected when joining Search and Rescue was helping out at the Cowlitz County Fair—directing people to parking and taking tickets at the rodeo. It’s just one of the many ways SAR members support their community beyond search missions.

In his free time, Matt enjoys riding motorcycles with his wife, hiking with friends, talking on the HAM radio, flying drones, and continuing to volunteer with Search and Rescue.

We are grateful for Matt’s dedication, teamwork, and the time he gives to help others in their time of need. 💙

👉 Support volunteers like Matt by donating to our foul weather gear campaign:
https://cowlitzsar.ejoinme.org/foulgear

Every contribution helps keep our teams safe, prepared, and mission-ready.

These things we do, that others may live.

14/02/2026

🚨 Meet Our Search & Rescue Volunteers 🚨

As part of our foul weather gear funding campaign, we’re proud to introduce the dedicated volunteers who answer the call—no matter the weather or terrain.

Your donation helps provide critical foul weather clothing and equipment, allowing our teams to operate safely in the harsh conditions they face on missions.

Our volunteers stand ready 24/7/365, driven by commitment, courage, and service to others.

⭐ Meet Allen Bennett ⭐
Allen Bennett has been a member of our Search and Rescue team for one year, bringing with him an impressive 26 years of prior SAR experience with two other teams. He is a retired U.S. Navy and U.S. Navy Reserve veteran, having completed a distinguished 30-year military career. In addition, Allen is a retired geologist—a background that continues to serve him well in the outdoors and during SAR operations.

Allen’s favorite part of SAR is training new members—helping them learn, grow, and gain experience in this fascinating and demanding field. He also deeply values the opportunity to help people in need and to make a meaningful difference in the community he calls home.

Outside of SAR, Allen enjoys nature photography, sea kayaking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and mountaineering. His passion for the outdoors extends into additional volunteer work as well. He serves with the nonprofit Mount St. Helens Institute as a climbing and hiking steward and as a guest interpretive geologist on guided adventure programs.

One thing Allen didn’t expect when he first joined SAR was just how long he would remain involved. He appreciates that SAR uniquely allows members to continue contributing as they age, and he feels especially fortunate to have met, trained with, and bonded alongside so many dedicated and caring teammates over the years.

When it comes to favorite SAR memories, Allen has many—but the ones he cherishes most are the successful searches where he knows his efforts helped reunite a lost person with their waiting family.

We are grateful for Allen’s decades of service, leadership, and the depth of experience he brings to Cowlitz County Search and Rescue. 💙

👉 Support volunteers like Allen by donating to our foul weather gear campaign:
https://cowlitzsar.ejoinme.org/foulgear

Every contribution helps keep our teams safe, prepared, and mission-ready.

These things we do, that others may live.