James D. Wright
1886-1923
J.D. was born in Des Moines, Iowa. He worked on the family farm until 1910, briefly became a butcher and in 1911 he joined the Army, eventually becoming a military policeman.
While stationed at Fort Yellowstone he met Clara Poe who was waitressing at the Yellowstone National Park. They were married and in 1918 moved to Portland.
Appointed to the Bureau in the fall of 1918, he was 32 years old. He initially worked foot patrol out of Headquarters, in 1920 he was assigned to the new East sub-station in the firehouse at 35th and Belmont. Shortly afterwards, he moved to motorcycle patrol.
In 1921, 2nd and Couch was considered “the most wicked spot in Portland.” Considered to be full of illiterate criminals, Wright was partnered with patrolman Read and both were assigned to work the area.
The Incident
On January 18, 1923, Wright was sent to investigate a reported death at a Washington Street lodging house. The person had died of pneumonia. Standard procedures of the time meant that Wright had to stay in the room, search the room for information and wait for the coroner.
Wright went home and told his wife that he would probably die. Three days later, on January 21, Wright died at the age of 36. He was survived by his wife and four year old son. His son contracted pneumonia, brought home by J.D., but he survived and went on to serve 30 years with Portland Police.
While stationed at Fort Yellowstone he met Clara Poe who was waitressing at the Yellowstone National Park. They were married and in 1918 moved to Portland.
Appointed to the Bureau in the fall of 1918, he was 32 years old. He initially worked foot patrol out of Headquarters, in 1920 he was assigned to the new East sub-station in the firehouse at 35th and Belmont. Shortly afterwards, he moved to motorcycle patrol.
In 1921, 2nd and Couch was considered “the most wicked spot in Portland.” Considered to be full of illiterate criminals, Wright was partnered with patrolman Read and both were assigned to work the area.
The Incident
On January 18, 1923, Wright was sent to investigate a reported death at a Washington Street lodging house. The person had died of pneumonia. Standard procedures of the time meant that Wright had to stay in the room, search the room for information and wait for the coroner.
Wright went home and told his wife that he would probably die. Three days later, on January 21, Wright died at the age of 36. He was survived by his wife and four year old son. His son contracted pneumonia, brought home by J.D., but he survived and went on to serve 30 years with Portland Police.