05-14-26 Commissioners Issue Proclamation For Peace Officer Memorial Day And Police Week In Douglas County (Photo) - 05/14/26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2026
Commissioners Issue Proclamation for Peace Officer Memorial Day and Police Week in Douglas County
Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman were honored to be invited to take part in Douglas County’s Annual Peace Officer Memorial Day Ceremony hosted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office honoring all law enforcement agencies & officers, families, and fallen law enforcement officers today, Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the Douglas County Courthouse.
The special Peace Officer Memorial Day Ceremony takes place annually to honor and remember our Douglas County law enforcement officers that perished while in the line of duty. The event started with Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin welcoming everyone to the Courthouse for the memorial service. Commissioner Chris Boice then read a proclamation on behalf of all three of the Douglas County Commissioners proclaiming Friday, May 15, 2026, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 10-16, 2026, as National Police Week in Douglas County. The proclamation pays special tribute to our law enforcement officers who have lost their lives while in the line of duty, while standing up for the safety and protection of others and honors all members of our law enforcement community in Douglas County, who unceasingly provide a vital public service and play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of our citizens.
Boice called upon all citizens of Douglas County to “observe May 15, 2026, as Peace Officers Memorial Day in memory of our law enforcement officers, who through their courageous deeds, have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities, and asked them to also recognize and pay respect to the families of our fallen heroes.” He further proclaimed “May 10-16, 2026, as National Police Week in Douglas County, and called upon all citizens of Douglas County to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies in which all of our people may join in commemorating our law enforcement officers, past and present, who, by their faithful and loyal devotion to their profession, have rendered immeasurable service to their communities.”
Additionally, the Commissioners pledged their support in the proclamation to all past, present, and fallen law enforcement officers and their families by Turning the Night Blue in their honor, as they have directed Facilities to light the exterior of the front of the Douglas County Courthouse with Blue lights during the week of May 10-16, 2026.
Our Interagency Honor Guard commenced with their annual Douglas County Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony with a call to attention by the Honor Guard lead. It was followed by a bagpipe performance of "The Green Hills of Tyrol" by an official Honor Guard bagpiper. The Honor Guard presented the colors and raised then lowered the Peace Officer Memorial Flag to half-staff on a special commemorative flagpole that was placed between our United States, POW, and State of Oregon flags. Following the ceremony the United States Flag, POW, and State of Oregon flags were honorarily placed at half-staff. Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin and Roseburg Police Captain Jeremy Sanders placed ceremonial wreaths on either side of the Douglas County Fallen Police Officer Memorial. A Sheriff’s Office 911 Communications Dispatcher conducted a special radio end of watch broadcast in honor of our six fallen officers:
• 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 radio broadcast was followed by a 21-gun salute and the ceremonial playing of taps on the cornet, performed by members of the Interagency Honor Guard. The ceremony concluded with the traditional playing of "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes, followed by a final call to attention, and dismissal.
Following the ceremony, Commissioners provided proclamation certificates to attending law enforcement agencies including Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Roseburg Police Department, Winston Police Department, Myrtle Creek Police Department, Roseburg VA Health Care System Police Department, Oregon State Police, Interagency Honor Guard, and special guest retired California Highway Patrol Officer Don Ling. The Commissioners would also like to acknowledge and thank our law enforcement agencies that were not able to attend Sutherlin Police Department, Reedsport Police Department, Cow Creek Tribal Police Department, Roseburg BLM Rangers Office, US Forest Law Enforcement, and all law enforcement agencies and officers that keep our communities safe. A special thank you to the Roseburg Fire Department, DINT, Douglas County Parole and Probation, Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement families, and the many community members for their support and attendance today.
A copy of the video presentation of the entire ceremony can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment. To learn more about the National Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week visit https://nleomf.org/.
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell | Chief Public Information Officer | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Phone: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
Proclamation Attached. Photos © K.Rodriguez/Douglas County.
