Officer quickly obtained a life jacket from the life jacket loaner board nearby and jumped into the water in attempt to help the male who fled from him minutes earlier
Shortly after midnight Thursday (Aug. 8), Woodland Police Officer Alex Olson attempted to contact an unknown male subject who was in Horseshoe Lake Park after the park was closed.
Officer Olson flashed the emergency lights on his patrol car to get the male’s attention. Seconds later the male fled from Officer Olson deeper into the park and toward the lake. Approximately 10 minutes later, Officer Olson located the male about halfway across the lake. It was at this time the subject began to ask for help saying he was unable to swim anymore.
Officer Olson lost sight of the male and requested assistance from fire and rescue as well as other law enforcement units before quickly obtaining life jackets from the life jacket loaner board nearby and jumped into the water in attempt to help the male who fled from him minutes earlier. Officer Olson swam to the last location he observed the male and was unable to locate him.
Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Dive Team was notified as well as Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue. CCSO conducted a search with dive team members and were unable to locate the male.
Due to the length of time the male had been in the water it was determined the event would no longer be a rescue mission but a recovery mission. Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue cleared the scene while CCSO continued the search. Deputies and dive team members were able to locate the male subject deceased approximately five hours after the initial call.
The Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office will be attempting to identify and notify next of kin. Until then the identity of the male will not be released.
Information provided by the Woodland Police Department.
Also read:
- Expect delays on eastbound SR 14 West Camas Slough Bridge for annual inspection, Saturday
Annual inspection will close the eastbound lane of SR 14 in Camas. - Vancouver Police investigate shootingVancouver Police investigate a carnival shooting involving youth and a firearm.
- POLL: Is it time for new leadership at Vancouver City Hall?A new weekly poll asks whether Vancouver voters should prioritize replacing the mayor and city council in the 2025 election.
- Opinion: How will the majority party’s new budget and tax proposals affect you?Rep. John Ley critiques the state’s proposed 2025-27 budgets, warning of record-breaking tax hikes and economic impacts.
- Opinion: Washington’s EV sales far short of next year’s state mandate
Todd Myers highlights how Washington’s EV sales fall short of next year’s mandate, raising concerns over rising car prices and limited options. - Letter: ‘Our state and local governments need to learn to live within their means’Camas resident Lauren Colas voices strong opposition to Proposition 1 and other tax proposals, calling for state and local governments to rein in spending.
- 18th District lawmakers ensure vital funding for projects in SW Washington are included in proposed 2025-27 House capital budgetLawmakers in the 18th District secured over $5.6 million in proposed funding for projects in Vancouver and Battle Ground under the 2025-27 House capital budget.
