Oregon State Police and Linn County Major Crimes Team (MCT) investigators are continuing an investigation into the death of an Albany man this morning and are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may have been with the man during in the preceding 24-48 hours to please contact them.
The deceased man, identified as James F. Plymell III, 45, of Albany, was contacted by Albany Police Department personnel near Santiam Road and Denver Street in Albany. During the course of the interaction, officers attempted to take Plymell into custody and a physical altercation ensued. At some point in the altercation, Plymell lost consciousness and officers transitioned to performing Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) with the aid of an Automated External Defibrillator(AED) until medical personnel arrived on-scene and pronounced Plymell deceased.
The officers involved in this incident are identified as Officer Emily Schroff, Officer Gina Bell, Officer Thomas Roten and Community Service Officer Gerry Morris, all of the Albany Police Department. Pursuant to standard protocols relating to these incidents, all have been placed on paid administrative leave as indicated in the Linn County Use of Deadly Physical Force Plan. Information relating to the cause or manner of death in this matter is being coordinated through the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office.
This investigation is ongoing and investigators are asking anyone who may have been in contact with Plymell during the preceding day(s) or anyone who may have witnessed or obtained video footage of the incident to contact Oregon State Police Detective Casi Hegney at 503-375-3555.
No further information available for release.
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Previous Release from Albany Police Department:
News Release from Albany Police
Posted on FlashAlert: October 23rd, 2019 11:54 AM
On October 23, 2019, at 8:20 a.m., an Albany Police Community Service Officer contacted a stranded motorist on Santiam Road at Denver Street. The Community Service Officer requested non-emergency assistance from a patrol officer. A physical altercation ensued between the motorist and two Albany Police personnel with the motorist assaulting the Community Service Officer.
An emergency response was initiated for additional patrol officers while the subject continued fighting with Albany Police. A Taser was deployed during the incident.
The subject went limp and became unconscious. Albany Police personnel immediately began treating the subject and employed CPR and an AED. Albany Fire Department paramedics responded and continued CPR. The subject passed away at the scene.
Albany Police secured the scene and notified the Linn County Major Crimes Team. The incident is being treated as a deadly force incident and the Oregon State Police are leading the multi-agency investigation. The identity of the deceased subject and involved police officers are being withheld during the initial inquiry and notification of next of kin.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Oregon State Police Major Crimes Detective Cassi Hegney at 503-375-3555.
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