Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office mourns loss of deputy
Published 1:30 pm Monday, June 7, 2021
- Jason Post served as a Umatilla County sheriff’s deputy starting in 2013, and in April 2021 transitioned to a probation officer for the county. The sheriff’s office reported Post died Saturday, June 5, 2021, in a rafting accident near Minam State Park River in Wallowa County. He was 34.
UMATILLA COUNTY — The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office identified Jason Post as the deputy who drowned Saturday, June 5, in Wallowa County.
Post was 34 and leaves behind a wife and baby girl.
The sheriff’s office reported Post and three other adults entered a craft on the water near the Minam Store at Minam State Park and an accident threw them into the water.
“Deputy Jason Post did not reach shore and his body was found shortly afterward,” according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.
Post began his career in 2010 as a reserve officer for the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office and in 2013 was hired as a full-time patrol deputy. He was a field training officer and a mentor to many officers.
“He was well respected and loved throughout the entire law enforcement community,” the press release stated.
Umatilla County Parole and Probation in mid-April hired Post as a probation officer.
“He was known for his devotion to his family,” according to the press release, “and he was very open about making the career change so he could focus on family and spend more time with them.”
Umatilla County sheriff’s deputies and other law enforcement agencies escorted Post’s body from the Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande, to home in Pendleton, where local law enforcement and first responders gathered to honor him.
“Thank you for the overwhelming support that was demonstrated by so many of our extended law enforcement family yesterday as we brought him home,” the sheriff’s office stated. “We express our deepest condolences to his entire family. We are your family and our hearts are broken.”
Umatilla County sheriff’s Lt. Sterrin Ward on June 7 reported staff from the sheriff’s office and parole and probation met that morning for a debrief of the events from the weekend.
“The family and agency are beginning the process of planning for a ceremony, but at this time no finalized announcements have been made,” Ward reported. “We will have further information shortly as arrangements are made.”
The Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office, Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office or other law enforcement agencies have yet to provide details on the accident that led to Post’s death.
Ashly Lehman, wife of Pendleton police Sgt. Jon Lehman, set up a fundraiser at www.gofundme.com for the benefit of Post’s wife, Rosana, and their baby, Dalilah.
This story has been updated with the latest available information about the location of the accident.
Date: Sunday, June 13
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Pendleton Round-up Grounds, 1205 S.W. Court Ave., Pendleton. This even is open to the public.
After the service, a funeral procession will proceed to the Skyview Memorial Park, 70116 Highway 395, south of Pendleton, for a graveside service. This is a private event.
A reception will follow at the Let ‘er Buck Room at the Pendleton Round-Up Grounds. This even is open to the public.
Editor’s Note: This information was updated to reflect changes in which events were private and public.
