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.