Beyond the arrest

A life changed

When Gresham Police Officer Adam Oblack spotted the young woman waving down his patrol car one night in early 2024, he recognized her immediately.

Back in 2022, he had stopped the woman for driving under the influence and reckless driving. Now, Autumn Booth raced from the curb to his window to tell him that, thanks in no small part to his intervention that night, she was doing well - a powerful testament to the impact that our officers can have.

"We don't get to see this part, hardly ever," Oblack told assembled well-wishers at Booth's graduation from an intensive Multnomah County Circuit Court drunk-driving diversion program that Booth was referred to after her arrest. "This is the first time for me," Oblack said, "so it really makes it worth it - the long nights, the long reports..."

Booth invited Oblack and his patrol partner to celebrate her graduation milestone after months of check-ins with case managers, attending treatment, and appearing regularly before a judge for progress updates. She has stopped drinking, has a job serving others and a place of her own.

A heartfelt thank you

"I want to thank Officer Oblack and the Gresham Police Department for doing a job that is incredibly difficult and often underappreciated," Booth said. "Thank you for showing up every day, doing your best to protect our community and for holding people like me accountable in ways that ultimately save lives."

Program officials say 75 percent of DUII Intensive Supervision Program (DISP) graduates do not re-offend within three years of successful completion of the program.

"Autumn has completely blown us all away," DISP Judge Celia A. Howes, said. "...You've made recovery your life."