Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office maintains patrols for Decker, asks residents for help

KITTITAS COUNTY – Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) deputies and tactical team members are continuing to maintain elevated patrols as law enforcement searches for Travis Decker in the Blewett Pass area.

In a Facebook update on Thursday afternoon, KCSO said it was operating visible patrols, backcountry teams, and drones day and night. 

“We're focused on safeguarding our community and having the right resources in place to detect and apprehend Decker if he comes to our county,” KCSO wrote.

In a Tuesday update, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said search teams had recently followed up on a tip from a hiking party who reported a lone hiker in the Enchantments that appeared to be avoiding others and seemed ill-prepared. 

A helicopter was sent to the area, where it spotted a hiker run from sight as it passed over Colchuck Lake. Teams picked up a trail and deployed K-9s to the area, tracking the subject to the area of Ingalls Creek Trailhead in the Blewett Pass/Highway 97 area by Monday evening.

That night, KCSO said it had deputies and tactical teams in place to find Decker if the search drove him to their area, as Ingalls Creek is “just a few miles north of several trails and trailheads accessible from the North Fork Teanaway Road.”

During a press conference Wednesday evening, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison confirmed he was in contact with KCSO about resources on the ground in Cle Elum and Teanaway Valley. He also emphasized assistance from King, Snohomish, Okanogan, Douglas and Grant County Sheriff’s Offices.

“There is nowhere that he's going to be able to go that we don't have units waiting for him,” Morrison said during the press conference.

The search is on day 11 for Decker, who is wanted on three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of first-degree kidnapping, and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution in connection with the deaths of his daughters — Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5 – who were found near Rock Island Campground on June 2.

Authorities say Decker is well-versed in wilderness survival and has experience spending long periods of time off the grid.

“The best chance for a swift and successful end to this search is intelligence that comes from the public. As people head into the wilderness in and around the Teanaway valley and Blewett Pass this weekend, we ask the public to be vigilant and alert to anything unusual,” said KCSO, in the June 12 update.

KSCO asked its residents to report any information that indicates his presence in Kittitas County to Kittcom: 509-925-8534. 

Anyone with information about Decker or his whereabouts should contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office, the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or USMS Tips: www.usmarshals.gov/tips. The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading directly to Decker’s arrest. Decker, 32, of the Wenatchee area, is described as a white male, 5-foot-8, 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Authorities advise that Decker should be considered dangerous and warn residents not to attempt to approach or contact him. If you see or believe you have seen Decker, call 911 immediately.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media