Forest Service honors 2 Deschutes prosecutors
Law enforcement officials in the Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service recently honored two prosecutors with the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in resolving recent vandalism and theft cases.
John Byas, patrol commander for the Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service, recognized the work of Chief Deputy District Attorney Stephen Gunnels and Deputy DA Brandi Shroyer for their significant contributions to protecting both natural resources and the public on national forest lands in Deschutes County.
Both attorneys were given letters of recognition and certificates of appreciation from the Forest Service.
“Many folks outside of the law enforcement community do not realize the time and effort that prosecutors put in working with our law enforcement partners outside the courtroom,” said Deschutes County District Attorney Patrick Flaherty.
“I am extremely grateful to have the United States Forest Service recognize Chief Deputy District Attorney Gunnels and Deputy District Attorney Shroyer for their superlative support of USFS agents,” he added.
Dan Smith, patrol captain for the Deschutes, Ochoco, and Fremont-Winema National Forests, said that “Gunnels, in addition to many other significant cases, was key to resolving the recent vandalism of Hidden Forest Cave, and Shroyer helped resolve a complex case of vandalism and theft of Forest Service vehicles on three different forests in Oregon.”
“We truly could not be successful in our work of protecting the land and serving visitors to the National Forest without their assistance,” he added.
