LCSO tracks man who swam across Row River

from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office

A Lane County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to contact 31-year-old Jonathan James Gilvin, a wanted subject, on Sears Road near Molitor Hill Road Nov. 8 at about 1:30 p.m.

When contacted by the deputy, Gilvin fled on foot through blackberry bushes and jumped into the dangerously cold Row River. Gilvin swam across the river and climbed up onto the bank before disappearing into some bushes adjacent to the Cottage Grove Airport.

Additional deputies responded to the area and began searching for Gilvin.  Deputy Chris Gardner along with his K-9 partner, Ripp, assisted in the search. Ripp quickly caught on to Gilvin’s scent and tracked him to an area overgrown with blackberry bushes.   

Gilvin was taken into custody and found to be in the early stages of hypothermia.  He was treated at a local hospital before being lodged at the Lane County Jail. 

Ripp was commended for his phenomenal police work and will be properly compensated in the form of extra milk bones and belly scratches.