Deschutes County sheriff’s personnel have received awards from the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association.

Sgt. Deke DeMars, Deputy Daniel Graham and Deputy Grant Johnstone received a 2014 Life Saving Award for rescuing two people from a canal after a car accident northeast of Bend in May. After DeMars rescued the passenger of the car from the canal, deputies found a retractable ladder on nearby property and extended it to the driver, who was swept up in current for several hundred feet. He was then safely pulled out of the water by the deputies.

The association presented Search and Rescue Lt. Scott Shelton with the 2014 Search and Rescue Deputy of the Year Award. Shelton works for the Special Services Division, which is responsible for Search and Rescue, Forest Patrol, Off Highway Vehicles and Emergency Services. He supervises 212 volunteers, 10 seasonal and six full-time staff. Deschutes County has carried out over 200 search missions this year, according to the sheriff’s office.

Shelton also conducts security checks and makes recommendations for various county buildings through the “Take Care, Be Aware” program, makes grant writing presentations for funding and sits on several boards.