CRITFC Enforcement Officers Beto Rojas and Raul Hernandez were honored with the Lifesaving Award during CRITFC’s Employee Appreciation Banquet. From left are CRITFC Executive Director Aja DeCoteau, Officer Beto Rojas, Officer Raul Hernandez, CRITFC Chair Jeremy Takala, and CRITFC Enforcement Chief of Police Russell Spino.
PORTLAND, OR — Columbia River Inter-Tribal Police Officers Beto Rojas and Raul Hernandez were each presented with a Lifesaving Award at the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) Employee Appreciation Banquet in Portland on December 12.
The honor recognized their exceptional actions during a Columbia River water rescue earlier this fall. The work of the two officers resulted in saving six lives.
The emergency unfolded on Sept. 25, when the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office (HRSO) dispatched a distress call about a capsized boat near the mouth of the White Salmon River. Reports indicated that 4 to 6 people were in the water, struggling to stay afloat.
According to CRITFC Enforcement Chief of Police Russell Spino (Warm Springs), officers mobilized rapidly from their Hood River office. Officers Rojas and Hernandez launched their rescue boat within minutes of receiving the call and navigated the river conditions to reach the distressed boaters. Meanwhile, Officer Jerrod Daniel, stationed onshore, located the accident victims in the water and guided the boat crew to their exact location.
Officers Beto Rojas (left) and Raul Hernandez were announced as the 2024 Lifesaving Award recipients at the CRITFC Employee Appreciation Banquet, Dec. 12. The awards honor their quick actions on September 25, 2024, which led to the rescue of six individuals from a boating accident on the Columbia River. Their efforts made a profound difference in the lives of the survivors and their families.
Working in coordination with HRSO and Klickitat County responders, the CRITFC team successfully rescued six individuals from the dangerously cold water. Tragically, one person remained unaccounted for despite exhaustive search efforts. After shifting from rescue to recovery, HRSO later suspended operations.
The response time from the initial call to the rescue was just 24 minutes.
“The speed and precision of the CRITFC team were critical,” said Chief Spino., “Minutes and even seconds matter in situations like this. The quick action and coordination of our officers undoubtedly saved lives that day.”
Chief Spino praised their professionalism and composure under pressure. “Officers Rojas and Hernandez acted decisively in extreme weather conditions, using their training and critical thinking to save lives. Their heroic efforts exemplify the dedication and skill of CRITFC’s law enforcement team. I have no doubt that if they had not acted the way they did, there would have been more lives lost,” Spino remarked.
CRITFC Executive Director Aja DeCoteau (Yakama) emphasized the importance of their lifesaving actions. “These officers truly embody the heart of our mission—to protect both the people and the natural resources of the Columbia River. In the face of imminent danger, their courage and quick thinking were remarkable. Their actions serve as a powerful reminder of the unwavering dedication we all share to safeguard this river and those who depend on it.” said DeCoteau.
The Employee Appreciation Banquet also highlighted the collaborative efforts of all CRITFC staff who supported the rescue. The officers were met with a standing ovation and awards for their service.
“The actions of Officers Rojas and Hernandez are a testament to the strength of the intertribal law enforcement partnership and its unwavering commitment to safeguard the Columbia River and its communities,” CRITFC Chair Jeremy Takala (Yakama), said.