Thomas Jeffries
1962-1997
Officer Thomas Jeffries was born in Roseburg, Oregon and attended high school in Estacada. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Oregon with a degree in journalism and had written an unpublished novel. He worked as a reserve deputy for Polk County and a corrections officer for Oregon State Penitentiary.
He was appointed to the Bureau on December 30, 1992 at the age of 30. He was assigned to the East Precinct afternoon shift patrol after stints at Central and North.
The Incident
On Sunday, July 20, 1997 around 11:23 pm, Officer Jeffries and fellow officer were attempting to arrest a suspect who was wanted for shooting a seven year old child a few minutes earlier. They had stopped the suspect’s vehicle at NE Glisan and NE 160th Avenue and the man had run behind a nearby house. As Jeffries approached, the man shot, hitting him three times. Officer Jeffries returned fire, striking his assailant. The man then ran again and was arrested later. Jeffries was able to radio for help and gave suspect information.
Officer Jeffries was transported to a local hospital where he died just after midnight.
Officer Jeffries was 35 and survived by his pregnant wife.
He was appointed to the Bureau on December 30, 1992 at the age of 30. He was assigned to the East Precinct afternoon shift patrol after stints at Central and North.
The Incident
On Sunday, July 20, 1997 around 11:23 pm, Officer Jeffries and fellow officer were attempting to arrest a suspect who was wanted for shooting a seven year old child a few minutes earlier. They had stopped the suspect’s vehicle at NE Glisan and NE 160th Avenue and the man had run behind a nearby house. As Jeffries approached, the man shot, hitting him three times. Officer Jeffries returned fire, striking his assailant. The man then ran again and was arrested later. Jeffries was able to radio for help and gave suspect information.
Officer Jeffries was transported to a local hospital where he died just after midnight.
Officer Jeffries was 35 and survived by his pregnant wife.