[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 22, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E44-E45]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO UMATILLA COUNTY SHERIFF JOHN TRUMBO

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 22, 2013

  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to 
Umatilla County Sheriff John Trumbo. Sheriff Trumbo retired on January 
1, 2013 after a career in law enforcement that dates back to 1973. 
Since he moved to Pendleton, Oregon in 1977, Sheriff Trumbo has 
dedicated over thirty-five years of service to the citizens of Umatilla 
County.
  Born and raised in Oregon's Willamette Valley, John learned how to 
work hard in the family business and later as a crane ``high flyer''. 
His love for police service began in 1972 when he joined the Benton 
County Sheriff's office ``Ride Along'' program. A year later John 
became a reserve officer, serving Benton County, Oregon for nearly four 
years. During this time he joined his colleagues in Benton County who 
traveled to Pendleton, Oregon and lent a hand with security for the 
world famous Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Pageantry Show. 
Because of these connections and his work, John was offered a job by 
the Umatilla County Sheriff.
  John took the Sheriff up on this invitation and in 1977 moved to 
Pendleton, an eastern Oregon wheat ranch and rodeo community which he 
and his wife Carol never left. His wife Carol, an accomplished school 
teacher in her own right, was there helping John raise their two sons 
Nick and Michael who now have blessed them with two loving 
grandchildren, Presley and Cade. Recently Cade was asked to write about 
a hero in school and chose his ``good grandpa the Sheriff'' who would 
be there ``just in case anyone is a criminal.''
  For nearly twenty years John served in various roles in the Umatilla 
County Sheriff's office, officer in the jail, having the first K-9 
unit, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Under-Sheriff. In 1997, John 
was sworn in and began his first of sixteen years of service as 
Umatilla County Sheriff. Always known for his honest and 
straightforward approach, Sheriff Trumbo was requested and volunteered 
to participate in many local and state boards, task forces, and 
councils, including the Governor's Methamphetamine Task Force and the 
advisory board for Blue Mountain Community College's criminal justice 
program. He also served as President of the Oregon State Sheriffs 
Association.
  Sheriff Trumbo also implemented programs to aid the citizen of 
Umatilla County and the region. He organized the nationally recognized

[[Page E45]]

Umatilla County Neighborhood Watch and Rural Crime Prevention Program 
that now has 19 units and over 800 active members. Recognizing the 
rural nature of Umatilla County and the challenges that are posed, 
especially in the winter, John implemented an all-terrain vehicle and 
snowmobile patrol program, for search, rescue, and patrols. Whether it 
was creating a program to take meth off the streets or sending a bill 
to a foreign county for the care and feeding of their citizens, Sheriff 
Trumbo has always looked for simple, straight-forward solutions to 
solving problems.
  Although John has retired as Sheriff, I know he won't be ending his 
service to Pendleton or Umatilla County. In fact, John remains an 
active volunteer with the Pendleton Round-Up, serving as the Board of 
Director who heads up security during the world famous rodeo. In this 
role he spearheads efforts to provide protection and safety of 
thousands of people attending the performances and visiting the 
community, including helping those wayward individuals leaving the 
``Let'er Buck'' room stay out of trouble!
  I also know he will be spending plenty of well-earned time on those 
things he loves, whether it is traveling horseback across the county 
with his grandchildren, woodworking, or camping with his family. Mr. 
Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Sheriff John Trumbo 
the best in his retirement. Sheriff, thanks for all your service to 
Umatilla County, the region, and our fine State of Oregon. You may be 
able to turn that cell phone off from time to time now!

                          ____________________