Deputy Sheriff Gil Datan was killed in an ATV crash while patrolling timber lands between Green Acres Road and South Sumner Road, near Coos Bay.
It is believed that he was thrown from the ATV when it rolled down a steep embankment between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm. The vehicle landed on top of him, causing him to suffer fatal injuries.
A massive search was initiated after he failed to check in with dispatch at the end of his shift at 4:00 pm. The crash site was located at approximately 9:45 pm.
Deputy Datan had served with the Coos County Sheriff's Office for five years and had served in law enforcement for 19 years. He had previously served with the Myrtle Point Police Department, North Bend Police Department, Confederated Tribal Police Department, and Reedsport Police Department.
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The accident occurred between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Dep. Datan texted his girlfriend sometime during that period, and was expected to end his shift at 4 p.m.
He never checked in.
According to Coos County officials, once Dep. Datan didn't contact his dispatch crew at the end of the shift, emergency officials launched a search effort by 6 p.m. The U.S. Coast Guard joined the search.
Search teams found Datan's body at 9:45 p.m. He was crushed under the ATV, according to a statement from the county.
Dep. Datan was about three to five miles from his pickup truck and in rural territory between Green Acres Road and South Sumner Road.