Dennis A. Darden
1945-1974
Officer Dennis Darden was born and raised in Portland. He served in the armed forces in Korea.
He was appointed to the Bureau on December 19, 1968 at the age of 23. After completing his probation he was assigned first to East and then to North Precinct.
The Incident
On August 9, 1974 a lookout call was issued for a vehicle believed to be driven by an armed robbery suspect. About 8:00 pm, officer Darden stopped the vehicle at NW 23rd and Lovejoy. A moment later a backup officer, Randy Pulley, arrived.
Darden got the suspect out of the car at gunpoint and told him he was under arrest. He approached to handcuff. The suspect suddenly pulled a gun out of his pants pocket and shot Darden in his abdomen. Officer Pulley then jumped onto the suspect and the three men went to the ground. Not wanting to accidentally shoot his fellow officer, Darden struck the man with his gun. The suspect fired twice more, wounding Pulley and fatally striking Darden in the chest. He then ran away, with Pulley firing at him.
The suspect was cornered in a house about three blocks away where he committed suicide. It was discovered later that he had been wanted on a murder charge out of California.
Officer Darden was 29 and survived by his pregnant wife and three children.
He was appointed to the Bureau on December 19, 1968 at the age of 23. After completing his probation he was assigned first to East and then to North Precinct.
The Incident
On August 9, 1974 a lookout call was issued for a vehicle believed to be driven by an armed robbery suspect. About 8:00 pm, officer Darden stopped the vehicle at NW 23rd and Lovejoy. A moment later a backup officer, Randy Pulley, arrived.
Darden got the suspect out of the car at gunpoint and told him he was under arrest. He approached to handcuff. The suspect suddenly pulled a gun out of his pants pocket and shot Darden in his abdomen. Officer Pulley then jumped onto the suspect and the three men went to the ground. Not wanting to accidentally shoot his fellow officer, Darden struck the man with his gun. The suspect fired twice more, wounding Pulley and fatally striking Darden in the chest. He then ran away, with Pulley firing at him.
The suspect was cornered in a house about three blocks away where he committed suicide. It was discovered later that he had been wanted on a murder charge out of California.
Officer Darden was 29 and survived by his pregnant wife and three children.