Estacada fire department CFO investigated for embezzlement

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office investigators concentrate on Pamela Rowley-Butcher as chief suspect

By Clinton Vining

The Estacada News, Jul 11, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (24 Reader comments)

Estacada Rural Fire District Executive Financial Officer Pamela Kay Rowley-Butcher is currently under investigation by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office for theft of district funds that may extend back as far as 10 years.

“We take great pride in our department and personnel and realize this is an enormous blow,” said Estacada Fire Chief Alan Hull. “All I can ask is our citizens realize this is the act of one individual and not a reflection of the others in our organization.”

Clackamas County Sheriff’s detectives executed a search warrant at Rowley-Butcher’s home and office on Friday, July 6. Neither detectives nor fire officials have divulged how much money was stolen from the department that has approximately a $2.5 million budget this year.

“It’s a significant amount,” Hull said. He explained that he won’t know how much money was embezzled until an outside agency has completed an audit.

Hull has been described by the sheriff’s office as being “very cooperative” throughout the investigation that began less than a month ago with a “significant investigative lead.” Hull has also been “eliminated as a potential suspect.”

Rowley-Butcher has been put on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of both investigations. She could not be reached by phone on Wednesday afternoon. No arrests have been made at this time.

The Fire Chief said his department has already taken measures to prevent further incidences. Locks and Post Office keys have been changed and financial books will no longer be kept by a sole individual.

“I guess we trusted Pam too much,” Hull said.

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