Supporters of the military hold flags of different branches of the armed forces on the shore of Lake River in Ridgefield Sunday as part of a landfall ceremony. It was part of 2017’s Kings for Cops/Operation Salmon event.
Several people gathered on the shore of Lake River in Ridgefield Sunday afternoon waving flags bearing the logos of military branches as fishing boats started to come ashore. Those gathered were welcoming back anglers taking part in a multi-day excursion on the Columbia River that has become a sort of signature thank you in the region for military veterans and law enforcement officials.
It was the second year for what has become known as Kings for Cops, a collaboration among several individuals in the area that brings in both local and national law enforcement officials to fish for salmon on the Columbia River.
This year was a bit different, as it combined the law enforcement-focused event with the longer-standing Operation Salmon, which has been going on for six years itself. Both events were coordinated mainly by Dion Hess, a Ridgefield resident and fisherman who has been honoring those who put their lives on the line through river excursions.
For the first day of fishing, Hess said that more than 150 individuals participated among military veterans and law enforcement. As boats came ashore, supporters held signs of thanks alongside the vigil of flags on the bank.
Like last year, some of the officers taking part were from Baton Rouge and Dallas police departments. The initial idea to expand the fishing trips Hess organizes to law enforcement was a result of the shootings of officers in both cities last year, with members of both forces returning for a second outing.
The anglers from outside the area have received local support in Woodland, Hess explained, as both America’s Family Diner owner Nate Chumley and renowned fishing rod maker Gary Loomis had helped secure lodging for the out-of-towners, in some cases opening their own doors.
Hess isn’t the only Ridgefield resident providing help for the event, as he mentioned another restaurant owner, Terry Hurd of Sportsman’s Steakhouse, also provided support through food and fundraising.
Alongside Hess, Colt Benson was another organizer who has been there from the outset. Though he lives in Utah now, Benson came back to Clark County Sunday to take part in the event he had a hand in helping to organize.
“It’s like one of the best events I’ve ever been a part of,” Benson said.
Helping to coordinate getting out of state officers as part of the event was Portland Police Bureau Officer and Ridgefield resident Brian Hunzeker. He was honest in saying that when Hess initially proposed the project, he was a bit leery of it considering how big of an undertaking it would be, though after seeing Hess’ plan he changed his tune and has been on board ever since.
Along with his wife, Jodi, Hunzeker helps to coordinate the police aspect of the fishing event. He commented how initially when reaching out to Baton Rouge and Dallas it was a shot in the dark that surprisingly happened to get good response.
“Our whole goal was to maybe get 15, 20 guys, put them in boats and have some fun,” Hunzeker said. “Then it just kept growing and growing.”
Portland’s police union, of which Hunzeker is a board member, sponsored the Baton Rouge and Dallas officers’ trips as a way of extending a warm welcome to their southern counterparts, he said. Many of the officers present were in some way affected by the attacks on officers that led to the Kings for Cops concept.
Joining some of the officers were youth mentored by members of the police force, with the chance at $500 for their school for the biggest fish caught.
Even for those who didn’t catch anything, the respite of being out on the water was good enough of an experience for many of the participants, Hunzeker said.
Unlike more visible signs of appreciation for veterans and law enforcement, Hunzeker commented on the more subtle recognition brought by events like Kings for Cops. Unlike being honored in a parade or publicly given some sort of award, the chance to get away and possibly catch some fish was a different kind of “thank you.”
“This is kind of an informal way to do it,” Hunzeker said, “and when you go down that river and get on out to the Columbia, it’s just you.”
