St. Helens City Administrator John Walsh is presumed dead after falling into the Columbia River late Saturday, according to city officials, capping two tense days of searching that have now turned into a grim recovery effort. Public offices are closed and a river overlook has been set aside for a memorial as residents and city staff absorb the loss.
Police were called around 10:30 p.m. Saturday after a person was seen entering the water near the St. Helens city docks, according to a press release from the City of St. Helens. The initial response stretched into the early morning hours before pausing at about 3:30 a.m., then picked up again later Sunday, the release states. Crews from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard joined the effort, using boats, ground teams and specialized equipment along the river.
From Rescue Mission To Recovery Effort
By Monday, the operation had officially shifted from search-and-rescue to a recovery mission, and Walsh is now presumed dead, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting. In a city statement, Communications Manager Crystal King said law enforcement does not suspect foul play and believes Walsh “accidentally fell into the water.” Officers said they planned a broader sweep on both sides of the Columbia River as they work to locate his remains.
City Scrambles To Fill Leadership Void
The City Council convened an emergency meeting Sunday and appointed Finance Director Gloria Butsch as interim city administrator while staff coordinate with the League of Oregon Cities on longer-term coverage, the city said. St. Helens City Hall, the public library and recreation offices were closed to the public to allow for staff notification and support, according to the release. City managers remained on duty to handle priority tasks despite the closures.
Grieving Community Turns To The Riverfront
The city plans to set up a memorial near Columbia View Park overlooking the river, and Mayor Jennifer Massey noted that the Walsh family are longtime community members, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported. City Hall will stay closed to the public for the rest of the week, though a scheduled city council meeting and municipal court hearings on Thursday are still set to proceed, according to OPB. Jerry Cole, mayor of neighboring Rainier, told the outlet that Walsh was well-liked and “always seemed happy and tried to make a difference.”
Veteran Public Servant With Riverfront Focus
Walsh brought years of municipal government experience to St. Helens, including previous work as city manager in Myrtle Point, according to coverage compiled by Western Washington University. Colleagues and regional partners had credited him with prioritizing riverfront redevelopment and community events during his tenure, efforts that now take on a poignant resonance along the same stretch of river where the search for his body continues.
