Deputies Plunge Into Collapsing Ice

A frozen lake with cracked ice and blue hues

Two Oregon teenagers are alive today because sheriff’s deputies ignored the freezing risk and went straight into a collapsing ice pond when seconds mattered.

Story Snapshot

Two girls, ages 15 and 16, fell through thin ice at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds youth fishing pond in Madras, Oregon, on Jan. 28, 2026.
Friends called 911 at 5:16 p.m., triggering a rapid response from Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputies and local fire/EMS.
Deputies CJ (Clark) Linden and Charles Hatcher broke through ice to reach the teens while Sgt. Ben Toops deployed ropes and rescue gear to pull them out.
Both teens were treated for hypothermia and transported to a hospital; deputies reported minor injuries.

Thin Ice, Fast Panic: What Happened at the Fairgrounds Pond

Jefferson County Sheriff’s officials said the incident unfolded around 5 p.m. at the youth fishing pond at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Madras. The teens were part of a group hanging out when two girls stepped onto ice estimated at roughly 1.5 to 2 inches thick. The ice gave way, dropping them into frigid water near the pond’s north end, where they struggled to stay above water as hypothermia set in.

Dispatch received the 911 call at 5:16 p.m., according to reports, and deputies arrived within minutes. The first responders faced a problem common in rural communities: the emergency was immediate, but specialized equipment wasn’t necessarily on-scene at the first moment. Deputies moved onto unstable ice in standard duty gear, broke through to create a path, and worked to keep the girls afloat and reachable until extraction tools could be positioned safely.

Deputies in the Water: How the Rescue Was Executed

Authorities credited Deputies CJ Linden and Charles Hatcher with pushing across the breaking surface to make contact, while Sgt. Ben Toops brought rescue equipment to turn a dangerous reach into a controlled pull. Reports describe the use of bodyboards and ropes as deputies worked step-by-step to get both teens onto a more stable line of travel back to shore. Sheriff Jason Pollock also responded and coordinated at the scene with fire and EMS.

Body-worn camera video released afterward captured the urgency and the practical mechanics of the rescue—commands to move slowly, keep balance, and pull in sequence. Linden later described the conditions as uncertain, including not knowing the true depth below the ice and how quickly the surface would continue to fail. That kind of uncertainty is exactly why thin-ice incidents can turn fatal fast, even when a victim is visible and apparently close to safety.

Medical Aftermath and the Reality of Hypothermia

Both teens were treated at the scene for hypothermia symptoms before being transported by ambulance for hospital evaluation. Officials reported the deputies involved suffered minor injuries but were “fine” afterward. As of Jan. 30, 2026, coverage indicated there were no further major updates beyond the initial rescue and recovery period. The teens’ names were not released, which is typical in cases involving juveniles and medical treatment.

The immediate danger in these situations is not just drowning but cold shock and rapid loss of strength. Even strong swimmers can become physically ineffective within minutes in icy water. The reports emphasize that friends did the right thing by calling 911 quickly rather than attempting an amateur rescue that could have added more victims. That quick call gave trained responders a narrow but decisive window to act.

A Community Reminder: Public Safety Messages After the Video Release

In the days after the incident, officials used the rescue to reinforce a simple warning: stay off frozen ponds because thickness can change quickly across the same body of water. Jefferson County’s winter conditions can swing enough to create deceptively thin ice, especially in public areas where people assume a surface “looks” safe. Linden reportedly followed up at the hospital, delivering a direct message to the teens about not taking chances on ice again.

For conservatives who value public safety without government overreach, this story is a reminder of what effective local government actually looks like: a sheriff’s office focused on core duties, trained for real-world emergencies, and willing to risk personal comfort to protect neighbors. The facts here don’t point to politics; they point to competence, courage, and community trust—earned the hard way in freezing water when nobody had time for excuses.