Longtime Camp Sherman sheriff’s deputy dies at 63

Jefferson County sheriff’s Senior Deputy David Blann, the face of the agency in the rural community for more than two decades, died early Friday of an apparent heart attack, officials and friends said. He was 63.

Around 5 a.m., Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District medics were called to Blann’s Camp Sherman home, Undersheriff Marc Heckathorn said.

Blann was unresponsive and CPR was in progress. Upon arrival, medics continued advanced medical care, but ultimately he was was pronounced dead.

Several sheriff’s deputies, along with members of the Oregon State Police, Black Butte Ranch Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Forest Service and Central Oregon Police Chaplaincy all responded to Blann’s home.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police investigated his death in coordination with the district attorney and medical examiner. Blann is believed to have died from natural causes.

Sheriff Jim Adkins said, “He was getting up to go to work when we suspect he had a heart attack.”

“He actually was in my office last week, because he had on his phone a countdown to when he was going to retire in two years. He had it down to the days, hours and minutes.”

On Friday, an impromptu procession of emergency service providers escorted Blann from his home to Bel-Air Funeral home in Madras. Over 50 vehicles were in the procession that traveled from Camp Sherman to Madras.

Heckathorn said, “We would like to thank members of the Oregon State Police, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, and both Redmond and Madras PD for closing all side streets allowing our procession to safely make our way across two counties.”

Blann began his law enforcement career as a reserve with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in November of 1995. He was hired full time in April 1997 as the Camp Sherman resident deputy.

Since then, Bl ann has been the face of Jefferson County and the sheriff’s office in the greater Camp Sherman area, Heckathorn said. He not only patrolled “The Basin” as a deputy but coordinated the agency’s Search and Rescue Team and plowed the roads in Camp Sherman in the winter.

“Senior Deputy Blann is irreplaceable in the community and our office is devastated with his sudden and unexpected passing,” Heckathorn said in the announcement.

“Senior Deputy Blann represented the sheriff in a dignified and professional manner but was known for his love of the outdoors, humor, and compassion for people,” the undersheriff added.

Hanging on the wall in Blann ‘s home “was a picture of him and a phrase that sums up who he was,” Heckathorn said.

It read:

BLANN ‘S RULES TO LIVE BY:

1. Have FUN!

2 Make someone smile

3 See Rule #1

“Members of the Jefferson County Sheriff Office are in mourning and we miss our coworker, friend, and brother,” Heckathorn said. “Funeral arrangements have not been made and will be determined at a later time.