Corvallis Police Arrest Suspect In Assault At Pioneer Park - 03/18/26

03/18/2026 9:45 a.m.

Media Contact:

Lieutenant Ben Harvey, Corvallis Police Department

(541) 766-6556 / cpdpio@corvallisoregon.gov

Corvallis Police Arrest Suspect in Assault at Pioneer Park

Corvallis, OR – On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at approximately 12:01 p.m., officers with the Corvallis Police Department responded to a report of an assault involving a baseball bat at Pioneer Park, near the public restrooms located at 1300 SW Philomath Blvd.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the victim, a 35-year-old male with no fixed address, who reported that he had been assaulted by 45-year-old James Allen Burke, also with no fixed address. The victim stated the assault stemmed from a dispute over money involving the suspect’s girlfriend. During the incident, Burke allegedly struck the victim multiple times in the head with a metal baseball bat. The victim was treated at the scene by emergency medical personnel for his injuries.

Burke and a 27-year-old female associated with him fled the area on foot prior to officers’ arrival. Officers conducted an area search and, at approximately 5:45 p.m., located Burke near the First Christian Church at 602 SW Madison Ave. Burke was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Benton County Jail.

Burke, a convicted felon, has been arrested 17 times in Corvallis since 2023 and has prior arrests for Menacing, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Felon in Possession of a Weapon, and Disorderly Conduct. He had also previously been trespassed from City parks through 2027 due to his behavior.

Burke was lodged at the Benton County Jail on the following charges:

ORS 163.175 – Assault in the Second Degree

ORS 166.220 – Unlawful Use of a Weapon

ORS 163.190 – Menacing

ORS 166.025 – Disorderly Conduct

ORS 164.245 – Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Officer Souza at the Corvallis Police Department.

Corvallis Police Department Achieves 30 Consecutive Years Of Accreditation (Photo) - 03/18/26

March 18, 2026

CORVALLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT ACHIEVES 30 CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF ACCREDITATION

For the tenth time since becoming accredited in March of 1995, the Corvallis Police Department has once again been awarded CALEA reaccreditation, marking an incredible milestone of 30 consecutive years of accredited status. Founded in 1979, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) law enforcement accreditation process focuses on standards that provide best practices related to life, health, and safety procedures, and is considered the gold standard in police accreditation.

“While this milestone is worth celebrating, it also reinforces our responsibility to continue striving for excellence in everything we do,” says Police Chief Jason Harvey. “I am honored to serve alongside such a dedicated group of professionals.”

The reaccreditation cycle, which takes place over a four-year period, includes yearly status reports, annual web-based assessments, statistical reporting, a site-based assessment, and a commission review. The site-based assessment was completed in December of 2025, and agency leaders presented to the Board of CALEA Commissioners last week. There are over 450 best practice standards that must be met to achieve reaccreditation.

The Corvallis Police Department is proud to be one of just three agencies with CALEA Accreditation in the state of Oregon. The Meritorious Accreditation was awarded during the CALEA Spring Conference.