The  Community page is designed to provide the public with knowledge of the Sheriff’s Office involvement in the community as well as to provide information on upcoming events and classes, information on crime prevention and safety, and to provide other general information to citizens and visitors of Teton County. 

The Teton County Sheriff’s Office is seeking help in identifying a possible witness to a theft at a hotel in Teton Village.  If anyone knows the identity of the person in the attached video, please call Deputy John LaBrec at 307-733-4052.

UPDATE: Patric Johnson was found today, December 18, 2009.

After an article ran in today’s Jackson Hole Daily regarding the disappearance of Patrick Johnson, the sheriff’s office received a tip that Johnson was seen recently in Jackson.  A sheriff’s deputy observed a person walking near the library who appeared to match the description of the missing person.  The deputy positively identified the man as being Patrick Johnson, who was unaware that he had been reported missing.  The case is closed and the sheriff’s office appreciates the assistance of the media and the public in helping to solve this case.

Patrick Johnson
Age: 52
Physical Description: 5'11" tall, 150 lbs, long brown hair, brown eyes, beard and mustache.
Last seen: September 20,2009 while hunting with friends near Togwotee.

Johnson’s vehicle was found abandoned in the forest near Sheep Creek. Patrick has not contacted any family or friends since September 20,2009. If anyone knows of his whereabouts please contact Sgt Slade Ross of the Teton County Sheriff’s Office 307-733-2331.

2010 Census to Begin
WARNING: 2010 Census Cautions from the Better Business  Bureau
Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by Susan Johnson
With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau
(BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.
The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:
** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions.  However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.
** Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information.  Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. . Census.
REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR  ADDRESS.
While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION.  The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations.  Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau. REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.
Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.
Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

You may call the Communications Center at 307.733.2331 if you feel that someone is trying to gather personal information from you by impersonating a census worker.

Update 10/25/2009 :  The stolen snowmobiles have been recovered.

A red Voyager trailer and two snowmobiles were stolen between 8 pm on Monday, October 19th and noon on Tuesday, October 20th.  The theft occurred at Action Motorsports, located at 3510 S Highway 89.  The trailer has a small Wyoming trailer plate bearing 22-126. The two snowmobiles are described as a red 2005 Polaris RMK 800 and a red 2008 Polaris RMK Dragon 700.
If located please notify the Sheriff’s Office Communications Center at 307.733.2331. 

Teton County Search and Rescue is in the middle of attempting to build a much-needed emergency services building and heliport.  As residents, we wanted to let you know that we have submitted documents to Teton County and the Town of Jackson to build on Hwy 22, ¼ mile south east of Spring Gulch Road.   This facility will be built on land the county specifically leased for this intent. Funding for this project has been secured through grants, private contributions and from the State of Wyoming. Once the paperwork is approved, citizens will have a chance to voice their opinions about the proposed building before it is voted on by Teton County Commissioners. 

 Why a New Facility?  Why Now?

Teton County Search and Rescue has been operating out of a garage unit south of the Town of Jackson.  The space has proven to be lacking for the growing needs of our community.  Because of the current situation, volunteer members spend valuable days each year moving equipment in and out of storage and "hoping" that when a call comes in the equipment most readily available is actually what they need. Our volunteers and our local citizens, you included, need a better system. The state land was selected because of accessibility, ease of radio communication and the ability to secure the site against unauthorized use.  Also this site enables the best response to all areas of the county. The fact that the property is just outside of the city limits mitigates traffic congestion when responding to incidents. Plus, its central location improves response time to all parts of Teton County. With this new facility, all TCSAR gear will be stored in a single location, which allows for access to all of the equipment, all the time.  This means shorter response times, better-equipped volunteers, and more hours during the year spent on training. All in all, better service for everyone who enjoys spending time outdoors in our valley.  

 Why a Heliport?

Currently, Search and Rescue uses space at Jackson Hole Aviation to store the helicopter we lease during the winter months. Current problems exist with this situation. Helicopters and airplanes do not coexist well. Helicopters need to land in close proximity to the hanger. Since the helicopter has to fly near multi-million dollar private jets the down draft of the blades pick up ice and gravel and spray this material into the other aircraft resulting in damage to these aircraft.

 Fueling has also been a very big concern. The TCSAR helicopter needs to be stored with minimum fuel to be mission-ready for high altitude/close proximity rescues. When a rescue mission exceeds that parameter, the helicopter fuel level needs to be topped off to accommodate the further operating distance. The first priority for fueling at the Jackson airport is the commercial aircraft. Often TCSAR has to wait 45 minutes or longer to obtain fuel, greatly increasing our response time to an emergency where every minute matters. By adding a heliport to our new building, we will be able to lower response times.

More questions?

Please feel free to call Doug, Teton County SAR Coordinator at (307) 733-4052 with any questions or concerns.

Comments? 

Comments can be submitted to the following:

Teton County Commissioners: commissioners@tetonwyo.org

Town of Jackson Council Members: (307) 733-3932

Jackson Hole News and Guide: editor@jhnewsandguide.com

What is TCSAR?

Teton County Search and Rescue is a non-profit organization (501c3) created in 1993 to provide vital Search & Rescue services to Teton County and surrounding areas. Comprehensive rescue services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in order to respond to the needs of a wide range of backcountry users.  Volunteer members train in swift water rescue, high angle rescue, avalanche safety, caving, location of downed aircraft using ELT's, helicopter safety and rescue maneuvers, tracking, navigation, snowmobiling, skiing, emergency medicine, personal safety, and backcountry survival. TCSAR responded to 71 rescues in 2008 with the average mission lasting 5.5 hours.

TCSAR Facility Application part 1 (3.8 MB pdf)
TCSAR Facility Application part 2 (7.9 MB pdf)
TCSAR Facility Application EA Report (13.7 MB pdf)