Linn County Sheriff's Office Investigates Robbery In Mill City (Photo) -08/01/25

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports this morning at 3:05 a.m., deputies responded to an Armed Robbery at the Trio Tavern located in Mill City. The victim, an employee at the tavern, reported as she left the tavern men with guns stole the cash deposit from the tavern with an undisclosed amount of money and her vehicle.  The victim’s vehicle was later located by deputies in the Lyons area.  In order to not compromise the investigation, no other details are being released at this time.

 

Detectives are continuing to investigate and anyone with information should contact Detective Scott Tennant at 541-967-3950. 

Pursuit Ends In Suicidal Male Taking His Life -07/17/25

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports on July 15, 2025 at 8:41 p.m., Linn County Dispatch received a 911 call of a suspicious circumstance in the area of Washburn Heights Drive.  Washburn Heights Drive leads to the top of a hill that is frequented by the public for the view overlooking the Willamette Valley.  The caller reported a female lying in the road with blood on her head.

Deputies responded to the area and found an elderly female with blood on her face, hands, arms and knees. Deputies learned from witnesses her son, Oliver Mercer, 67 of Lebanon, was at the top of Washburn Heights Drive and reported to be suicidal.  Deputies began to drive up to the viewpoint at the top of the hill, when they encountered Mercer driving back down towards them. Deputies stopped and contacted Mercer in his vehicle and saw he had a bottle of alcohol between his legs.  Mercer then displayed a pistol and held it to his head.

 

Deputies began attempts at de-escalating the situation, which was overheard by several witnesses, but Mercer would not cooperate and drove away from the scene. Deputies and multiple other law enforcement agencies responded to the area in pursuit of Mercer. Mercer attempted to elude law enforcement, driving toward Lebanon, where he struck two law enforcement vehicles and continued to attempt to elude. With the help of Oregon State Police, Mercer’s vehicle was safely redirected to the ditch near the intersection of Denney School Road and Highway 34. As law enforcement began to surround Mercer, he fired one round to his head, resulting in life threatening injuries. Mercer was transported by paramedics to Corvallis Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center but died from his self-inflicted injuries.  Mercer’s mother was also transported to Lebanon Community Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Linn County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the event to include the initial report regarding the female, her injuries, and Mercer’s actions leading up to the incident. It’s likely additional witnesses were in the area and have information on this incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Scott Tennant (541) 967-3950.

 

Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Oregon State Police, Albany Police Department, Corvallis Police Department, Lebanon Police Department, Brownsville Rural Fire District and Lebanon Fire District.

David Winter Located Deceased In Snow Peak Area (Photo) -07/11/25

On July 10, 2025, Linn County Search and Rescue (SAR) teams located the body of David Winter in the Snow Peak Area after the third continuous day of searching. David was located at the bottom of a 300-foot cliff where SAR personnel were able to retrieve him using a rope system. No foul play is suspected.

 

Our thoughts are with Mr. Winter’s family during this difficult time. We deeply appreciate the public’s support and the tireless efforts of all the SAR teams, K-9 units, partner agencies, and volunteers who helped in the search.

 

The following agencies were integral in this operation:
Linn County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue
Lane County Search and Rescue
Albany Police Department
Benton County Sheriff’s Office – Mary’s Peak Search and Rescue
Benton County Sheriff’s Office – Corvallis Mountain Rescue
Marion County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue
Region 3 K9 Search Dogs
Oregon Army National Guard