The FBI Portland Field Office held a ceremony to recognize several community leaders and organizations from across the state of Oregon at their headquarters office on May 21, 2026.
The community awards ceremony, the office’s 4th, highlighted government, non-profits and community partners who work closely with FBI personnel to accomplish our mission; to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States.
“We at the FBI recognize that our community is strongest when we are connected and engaged,” said FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson. “A safer community is not only measured by statistics — it’s measured by trust, compassion, opportunity, and people looking out for one another.”
The 2026 awardees included:
- Director’s Community Leadership Award—The Children’s Center of Clackamas County is a private, non-profit Children’s Advocacy Center accredited by the National Children’s Alliance, located in Oregon City. Children are referred by law enforcement agencies, child protective workers, parents, teachers, health care providers, and others concerned for their welfare. They provide medical examinations and forensic interviews to support children and families experiencing suspected neglect, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse
- Exemplary Service Award—Assistant United States Attorney Scott Kerin is nominated for his work and leadership in the DOJ’s Fentanyl Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force’s National Strategic Initiative “FONSI” aimed at targeting transnational-organized crime groups involved in the distribution of fentanyl.
- FBI National Academy Associates Award—Chief Jorge Tro has made a lasting impact on the Canby community through nearly three decades of dedicated service, including five years as chief. His steady leadership, commitment to professionalism, and focus on partnerships helped strengthen trust between the department and the community it serves. Through initiatives such as school-based policing, behavioral health response, public transparency efforts, and accessible reporting options, he helped foster stronger communication and meaningful engagement with the community.
- FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association Award—For the past ten years, Laura Hofer has served as a dedicated culinary instructor for South Salem High School, shaping the future of thousands of students through advanced culinary techniques, IB Food Science courses and leadership skills that extend well beyond the kitchen. Laura’s culinary class is a space where her students learn discipline, confidence and flourish in their creativity. Through leadership, compassion, and a commitment to excellence, Laura has made a lasting impact on her students, school and the community. Her work exemplifies the FBI mission and truly shows what it means to educate, inspire and serve.
- Local Community Partner Award—A collective team of dedicated individuals from the District of Oregon United States Attorney’s Office, Portland Police Bureau and Medford Police Department are being recognized for their outstanding efforts in a long-term, complex investigation that led to the conviction of a subject for his role in the trafficking and sexual exploitation of three minor victims in Oregon and Washington in 2022. Honorees include:
- From the Oregon United States Attorney’s Office:
- Robert Trisotto, Assistant United States Attorney
- Doug Angel, Litigation Support Specialist
- Samantha Lwali-Welsh, Victim Witness Specialist
- Shuli Rutzick, Paralegal Specialist
- Gary Sussman, Retired Assistant United States Attorney
- Charlotte Kelley, Assistant United States Attorney
- From the Portland Police Bureau:
- Lieutenant Kristine Butcher
- Officer Kristin Gende
- Officer David Hughes
- Detective Timothy Larsen
- Detective Scott McCollister,
- Officer Heather Martley
- From the Medford Police Department:
- Detective Levi Friend
- From the Oregon United States Attorney’s Office:
Also awarded the Local Community Partner Award:
Safety Compass has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to supporting victims of human trafficking throughout Oregon, serving both the Portland and Salem offices, while responding to needs statewide. Through comprehensive victim centered programming, Safety Compass provides critical resources including a 24-hour survivor support line, on scene advocacy, housing assistance, counseling, case management and training for community members and law enforcement.
- Law Enforcement Leadership Award—Presented to The Columbia County District Attorney’s Office in collaboration with the Department of Community Justice, and Oregon Youth Authority. In May of 2025, FBI Portland and local law enforcement partners arrested a Columbia County juvenile who conspired to conduct an improvised explosive attack and mass shooting at the Three Rivers Mall in Kelso, Washington.
- Honorees include:
- Joshua Pond, District Attorney
- Cody Coughlin, Deputy District Attorney
- Stacia Tyacke, Assistant Director, Department of Community Justice
- Liz Ring, Juvenile Probation Officer, Department of Community Justice Juvenile Division
- Sarika Kathuria, Assistant Attorney General, Washington State Office of the Attorney General
- Molly Matherly, Juvenile Parole/Probation Officer, Oregon Youth Authority
Also awarded the Law Enforcement Leadership Award, Grant County Sheriff Todd McKinley.
- In December 2025, Grant County had three suspected drug overdoses in the period of one week. Sheriff Todd McKinley reached out to state and federal partners, including Oregon State Police, High Desert High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Task Force, FBI Portland and the United States Attorney’s Office to assist in an extensive investigation into the overdose deaths. While the investigation is still ongoing, Sheriff McKinley has made necessary resources available to ensure the investigation’s success—continuing to support the FBI’s primary objective to crush violent crime.
