Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony To Be Held (Photo) -05/08/25

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating every May 15th as Peace Officer Memorial Day and the week in which it falls, National Police Week. 

Across the United States, ceremonies are held to remember those serving in law enforcement who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities.

 

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office will host a local Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony on the front lawn of the Courthouse to pay tribute to the six Douglas County law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty:

 

•    Officer Donald DeSues - Roseburg Police Department - EOW August 7, 1959
•    Special Deputy Ronald H. Terwilliger - Douglas County Sheriff's Office - EOW July 23, 1985
•    Corporal Virgle D. Knight Jr. - Douglas County Sheriff's Office - EOW July 23, 1985
•    Sergeant Gerald G. Chirrick - Douglas County Sheriff's Office - EOW July 23, 1985
•    Deputy Morris L. Taylor - Douglas County Sheriff's Office - EOW September 14, 2002
•    Deputy S. Allen Burdic - Douglas County Sheriff's Office - EOW March 11, 2021

 

The ceremony, which will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 9:00 am, is open to members of the community who wish to pay remembrance to the fallen and their families. The tribute will include a proclamation reading by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, a police honor guard, wreath laying ceremony, bagpipes, a 21-gun salute and a county-wide radio broadcast.  

Herb Parish Located By Search And Rescue Safe And Uninjured (Photo) -05/06/25

UPDATE 05/06/2025 9:00 PM

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - Herb Parish has been safely located by searchers at the end of Nonpareil Road, approximately 10 miles from the end of the pavement, and is no longer considered missing. He is currently in the care of Search and Rescue volunteers and is reported to be uninjured and in stable condition. He will be evaluated by EMS personnel before being re-united with his family. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the community for their assistance in this investigation. No further updates are expected. 

 

The Sheriff's Office was assisted by Douglas County Search and Rescue, Sutherlin Police Department and Fair Oaks Fire Department.

 

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ORIGINAL POST 05/06/2025 4:45 PM

 

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is currently searching for Herb Eugene Parish, an 86-year-old man from Lookingglass who is considered a missing and endangered person.

 

On May 6, 2025, just before 1:00 p.m., deputies received a report that Parish was missing from his home in the Lookingglass area. Parish, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and is not supposed to be driving, was last seen at his residence around 10:15 a.m. Prior to being reported missing, Parish was pulled over in a traffic stop at 11:45 a.m. Deputies, along with the Sutherlin Police Department and Douglas County Search & Rescue, are actively searching for any signs of him.

 

Parish is described as 5'10" tall, weighing approximately 240 lbs, with grey hair and brown eyes. He was last known to be driving a gray 2018 Toyota Tacoma with Oregon license plate 888 PHJ.

 

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts or who has seen the vehicle is urged to contact the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at (541) 440-4464, referencing case #25-1571.

Sheriff's Office Announces Passing Of K9 Ozzy (Photo) -04/29/25

ROSEBURG, Ore. – The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is saddened to announce the passing of K9 Ozzy due to health complications.

 

Ozzy, an 8-year-old German Shepherd, was certified for duty on May 22, 2020, and faithfully served the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Douglas County until his retirement on April 23, 2025.

 

After thoughtful consultation with the veterinarian on Friday, April 25, 2025, it was determined that it was in Ozzy’s best interest, as his quality of life had been steadily declining, and he was showing signs of significant deterioration, that he be put to rest.
 

Ozzy was partnered with Deputy Barden throughout his career, and together they formed a strong and effective team. Ozzy’s contributions to the Sheriff’s Office and Douglas County were substantial. During his career, Ozzy was deployed 354 times, participated in 34 public demonstrations, and was involved in 36 felony arrests and 17 misdemeanor arrests. He also assisted in 84 felony investigations and 27 misdemeanor cases. Ozzy was responsible for a total of 88 apprehensions and successfully completed 37 tracks.

 

On the night of April 12, 2022, Ozzy’s alertness and skill may very well have saved Deputy Barden’s life. While assisting the Roseburg Police Department with clearing a business following a break-in, Ozzy detected a suspect hiding behind a desk on the second floor. Despite multiple warnings, the suspect remained hidden. Thanks to Ozzy’s alertness the suspect, armed with a loaded AR-15 style rifle, was taken into custody without incident. The suspect later admitted he had planned to shoot whoever tried to come after him, but surrendered out of fear of being bitten by Ozzy. This incident stands as a powerful reminder of the risks our deputies and K9s face and the extraordinary bond and teamwork that keeps them safe.

 

K9 Ozzy’s reliability, drive, and determination made him an indispensable part of the team, and he played a vital role in keeping both his fellow deputies and the community safe.

 

“We’ve all experienced the loyalty of our canine family members. That same loyalty and bond between a well-trained police K9 and its handler is immeasurable,” remarked Sheriff John Hanlin. “K9 Ozzy was a beloved officer of the Sheriff’s Office and will be greatly missed.”

 

The Sheriff’s Office would like to express its sincere gratitude to all those who supported Ozzy and our K9 program over the years. The generosity and encouragement of the community are crucial to the continued success of our K9 teams. 

 

Anyone wishing to make a tax-deductible donation in Ozzy’s memory may do so by mailing it to:

 

Friends of UV K9 Programs
PO Box 213
Roseburg, OR 97470

 

Checks should be made payable to Friends of UV K9 Programs with “K9 Ozzy” in the memo line.

**Update, Located Safe** Douglas County Sheriff's Office Searching For Missing Yoncalla Man -04/28/25

*** UPDATE -- The missing subject has been located. He has returned home safely. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office appreciates your assistance. 

 

YONCALLA, Ore. – The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a 69-year-old Yoncalla man missing since early Saturday, April 26^th, 2025.

Lyndon Cullison reportedly left his home in a Silver 2002 Hyundai Accent 2D with Oregon license plates displaying CA14077. The wheels on the passenger side of his vehicle are teal while the wheels on the driver’s side are silver.

 

He may have been planning to go shopping, possibly in Cottage Grove or Roseburg. He frequently uses the freeway to travel. Cullison hasn’t returned home.

 

Family members report he has recently been displaying symptoms of dementia.

 

Cullison is a white male, about 6 feet tall and about 180 pounds. His is balding. When he left, he was possibly wearing a blue hat, blue jacket and tan shorts.

If anyone has information regarding Cullison, please contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at 541-440-4471 or email dcso.pio@co.douglas.or.us and reference case 25-1461.

Roseburg Man Found Deceased After Motorcycle Crash On Roberts Creek Road -04/11/25

ROSEBURG, Ore. – A Roseburg man was located deceased on April 10, 2025, as the result of a motorcycle crash. A search effort had been initiated after he was reported missing.

 

Terry Eugene Kruh, 63, of Roseburg was last seen around 5:00 p.m. on April 9, 2025, when he left for a motorcycle ride on his 2004 yellow Harley Davidson. When he failed to meet friends as planned and could not be reached by phone, a friend entered his residence the following morning and discovered he had not returned—his motorcycle and riding gear were missing.

 

The Sheriff’s Office was notified. A search was initiated at which point a cell phone ping indicated his phone was stationary in a very large area encompassing the Green/Winston/Dillard/Lookingglass area. While searchers were checking roadways in the vicinity, a friend located Kruh and his motorcycle crashed in the 6600 block of Roberts Creek Road.

 

Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and confirmed Kruh was deceased.

 

Preliminary investigation indicates Kruh was traveling westbound on Roberts Creek Road when he failed to negotiate a sharp corner. His motorcycle left the roadway and came to rest approximately 20 feet down a steep embankment along a fence line in dense blackberry bushes.

 

Anyone with information which may aid in the crash investigation is asked to contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at (541) 440-4471 referring to case #25-1206.