On December 12, 2024, while at the annual Oregon State Sheriff's Conference in Bend, Or., , Lt. David Denney and Sergeant Jared Gray were recognized and given Distinguished Service Awards for their role in saving the lives of several people on May 22, 2024, on the Rogue River at Huntly Park, east of Gold Beach. ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE: On 05/22/24 at or about 3:28 p.m. Curry County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a 911 call reporting that several juveniles were in the water possibly drowning in the Rogue River near Huntly Park, about six miles east of Gold Beach. Central Dispatch then began to dispatch Curry County Sheriff’s Deputies, Gold Beach Police Officers, Gold Beach Fire, medical personal from Cal-Or ambulance, as well as medical helicopters from Reach. Within minutes from getting the call, Sheriff Deputies, and Gold Beach Police Officers arrived in the area of Huntly Park gravel bar along the Rouge River. At this time there were a total of 7 individuals, (Two teachers, 5 juveniles) clinging to the rocks on the opposite side of the river from Huntly Park, or still swimming in the river. The subjects were yelling that they could not hang on to the rocks any longer. Two Gold Beach Officers and a Sheriff’s Deputy made the decision to attempt to swim across the river to attempt to assist the subjects. One of the Gold Beach Officers was swept down river along with a teacher and a student. At about 3:45 p.m. Sgt Jared Gray and Lieutenant David Denney arrived in the Sheriff’s marine patrol boat. Upon arrival in the area out in front of Tu Tu Tun Lodge, (Approx ¾ mile downstream from Huntly Park) three subjects were seen by Sgt Gray and Lieutenant Denney in the water. Two females were observed together trying to swim on their backs, and approximately 200 yards above them was a male subject struggling to stay above water. It was clear that all three were in distress, but the male subject was observed going underwater several times and it appeared he would not be able to stay above water any longer. As they reached the male subject who was under water, they recognized him as a GBPD Officer, and he was grabbed from under the water by Lieutenant Denney and pulled onto the swim platform of the boat. With Lieutenant Denney hanging onto the GBPD Officer, Sgt Gray then maneuvered the boat back down river and was able to secure the other two females, (one teacher-one juvenile). Sgt Gray then maneuvered the boat to the shore with the two females clinging to the side of the boat. The GBPD officer was then pulled all the way into the boat. Sgt Gray and Lieutenant Denney then pulled the last subject from the rocks, and all subjects were then transported by boat to the gravel bar at Huntly Park where medical and fire personnel were waiting. At this time deputies then obtained a head count and confirmed that all juveniles, teachers, and responding officers were accounted for. This was a very coordinated and amazing effort by numerous different agencies, all working together. There is no doubt that if Sgt. Jared Gray and Lieutenant David Denney had not acted when they did, the teacher, the student and the Gold Beach Officer would not have survived. The Gold Beach Officer had gone under for the last time when he was pulled from under the water.