Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Hosts Memorial To Honor Legacy Of Fallen Deputies - 05/14/26
MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. (May 13, 2026) – The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office hosted its annual memorial services to honor the 10 deputies and one civilian staff member who have died in the line of duty.
The observances, held Wednesday, May 13, 2026, began with a wreath-laying at the Loll Memorial, the site where Deputy Ernest Loll was killed in 1935 while responding to a call for service in Southwest Portland. In the afternoon, Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell joined families of the fallen, county officials, and agency members for a formal memorial ceremony at the Troutdale Sheriff’s Office Operations Center.
During her speech, Sheriff Morrisey O’Donnell emphasized that the character of the fallen remains the foundation of the sheriff’s office culture.
“Law enforcement professionals are called to a life of courage and compassion, with an unwavering commitment to doing what is right and just,” said Sheriff Morrisey O’Donnell. “Sometimes that commitment comes at the highest cost imaginable, resulting in unimaginable grief for family, friends, and coworkers.”
“The history of our fallen deputies spans decades, and it is woven through every one of their stories, as are the values that define this agency. Their dedication to our community remains foundational to our mission and is an inherent part of who we are.”
Wednesday’s ceremony highlighted the memorials within the sheriff’s office that ensure these stories remain a living part of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. The images of the fallen are displayed on memorial walls within the MCSO training building and at the patrol operations center, where the monument bearing their names stands.
The history of these losses spans more than a century, but they reflect the persistent dangers of the profession. Of the 10 deputies lost, seven died as a result of gunfire, two were killed by impaired drivers, and one died in an explosion alongside a civilian employee.
“For the members of this agency, remembrance must also come with purpose,” Sheriff Morrisey O’Donnell concluded. “We honor those who came before us by serving with professionalism, accountability, and respect for the trust placed in us. While they may be gone, they will never be forgotten.”
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest gratitude to the MCSO Honor Guard for their presence and dedication. The MCSO Honor Guard represents the highest standards of integrity and discipline, performing the sacred duty of providing final honors, conducting meticulous flag-folds, and standing silent watch. Through their precision, professional bearing, and attention to detail, these members ensure that the history and traditions of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office are preserved with the reverence and dignity they deserve.
MCSO also recognizes the Honor Guards from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Gresham Police Department, Lake Oswego Police Department, and the Portland Police Bureau for their service to Wednesday’s memorial.
In Memoriam:
- Deputy Sheriff Irving Burkett, End of Watch: August 21, 2003
- Deputy Sheriff Robert Anderson, End of Watch: December 1, 1994
- Reserve Deputy Sheriff Mark Whitehead, End of Watch: February 26, 1993
- Reserve Sergeant Scott Collins, End of Watch: February 26, 1993
- Sergeant Albert Bowe, End of Watch: November 15, 1945
- Deputy Sheriff Ernest Loll, End of Watch: September 29, 1935
- Special Deputy Sheriff Walter Leonhardt, End of Watch: September 28, 1931
- Corrections Powderman Charles Hall, End of Watch: May 24, 1924
- Superintendent Ed Diedrich, End of Watch: May 24, 1924
- Deputy Sheriff Frank Twombley, End of Watch: November 19, 1918
- Deputy Sheriff Robert Phillips, End of Watch: November 21, 1917
Image: A line of Multnomah County Sheriff's Office deputies assigned to the MCSO Honor Guard stand in a disciplined row on a paved road. They are dressed in formal green uniforms with gold braiding, hats, and agency patches. The deputies are shown in profile, looking forward with solemn expressions, while the road behind them stretches into a soft, out-of-focus background.
Image: MCSO Honor Guard members in green dress uniforms stand at attention behind a memorial plaque. In the foreground, personnel from partner agencies in navy uniforms hold an unfurled American flag during the solemn ceremony.
Image: A close-up profile of an MCSO Honor Guard member in a forest green dress uniform and hat, holding a rifle at an angle during a 21-gun salute. He wears white gloves and gold braiding, with other uniformed personnel lined up behind him in a soft-focus background.
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