Junction City Police

Emergency Messages as of 1:21 PM, Thu. Jan 22

No information currently posted.

logo

Subscribe to receive FlashAlert messages from Junction City Police.

Manage my existing Subscription

News Release

JCPD Statement On Pending Judicial Action Regarding August '21 Officer Involved Motorcycle Crash - 01/25/22

On August 26, 2021 the Junction City Police was dispatched to assist the Benton County Sheriff’s Office in locating a suspect vehicle traveling southbound from Monroe on Hwy 99W.  At about 11:28 AM the suspect passed awaiting officers traveling in a reckless manner between 80 and 100 miles per hour and was dangerously passing other southbound vehicles by traveling south, in the northbound lane of travel on Hwy 99W.  Junction City officers turned to follow the vehicle and activated their emergency lights to warn oncoming traffic.  However, prior to catching up to the vehicle the driver, later identified as 25-year-old Derrick Freeman, failed to successfully negotiate a right-hand turn onto 18th Street and crashed into a vehicle that was stopped at the stop sign at the intersection of 18th Street and Hwy 99W.

Freeman immediately fled the vehicle and began running southbound on 18th Street from the scene of the crash toward Safeway and a group of bystanders.  Officer Lorimor, operating a police motorcycle, began to follow Freeman but ultimately the two collided causing he and Officer Lorimor to fall to the ground.  Freeman was transported to a local hospital for evaluation but was released when it was determined he was uninjured.

The Oregon State Police was initially summoned to the scene to investigate the crash, but in the following days requested Eugene Police conduct the investigation because there was a conflict of interest because Officer Lorimor retired from OSP prior to coming to work for Junction City.  In the interest of transparency, the results of the investigation were referred to the Lane County DA for evaluation, and ultimately to the Lane County Grand Jury for review on Tuesday December 14, 2021

The Grand Jury returned a true bill on the charge of Recklessly Endangering Another.  Officer Lorimor was arraigned on Tuesday January 25th and entered a plea of not guilt.  The Junction City Police has faith in, and supports, the criminal justice and grand jury process, and believes the matter will be resolved in a judiciously fair manner.

Officer Lorimor was first hired with Oregon State Police as a Recruit in 1984, promoted to a Trooper in 1985, promoted to a Senior Trooper in 1992, and was promoted to a Sergeant in 2001.  Officer Lorimor also served as an interim Station Commander in the Newport patrol office.  Officer Lorimor honorably retired as a Sergeant from OSP in 2011, but continuously served as a seasonal trooper assigned to Judicial Security, dignitary Protection Unit, and as well as working in the Fish and Wildlife Division as an Access and Habitat Trooper through 2019.  During his tenure with OSP Officer Lorimor served in several different assignments including SWAT for 8 years, Honor Guard for 24 years, and as a police motorcycle officer and instructor for at least 8 Years.  In addition, Officer Lorimor served as a TEAM Oregon motorcycle instructor for 25 years.  Officer Lorimor joined the Junction City Police Department in 2019 where he has meritoriously served since.  Officer Lorimor has been reassigned to a non-enforcement function until the judicial process is completed.

JCPD Statement On Pending Judicial Action Regarding August '21 Officer Involved Motorcycle Crash - 01/25/22

On August 26, 2021 the Junction City Police was dispatched to assist the Benton County Sheriff’s Office in locating a suspect vehicle traveling southbound from Monroe on Hwy 99W.  At about 11:28 AM the suspect passed awaiting officers traveling in a reckless manner between 80 and 100 miles per hour and was dangerously passing other southbound vehicles by traveling south, in the northbound lane of travel on Hwy 99W.  Junction City officers turned to follow the vehicle and activated their emergency lights to warn oncoming traffic.  However, prior to catching up to the vehicle the driver, later identified as 25-year-old Derrick Freeman, failed to successfully negotiate a right-hand turn onto 18th Street and crashed into a vehicle that was stopped at the stop sign at the intersection of 18th Street and Hwy 99W.

Freeman immediately fled the vehicle and began running southbound on 18th Street from the scene of the crash toward Safeway and a group of bystanders.  Officer Lorimor, operating a police motorcycle, began to follow Freeman but ultimately the two collided causing he and Officer Lorimor to fall to the ground.  Freeman was transported to a local hospital for evaluation but was released when it was determined he was uninjured.

The Oregon State Police was initially summoned to the scene to investigate the crash, but in the following days requested Eugene Police conduct the investigation because there was a conflict of interest because Officer Lorimor retired from OSP prior to coming to work for Junction City.  In the interest of transparency, the results of the investigation were referred to the Lane County DA for evaluation, and ultimately to the Lane County Grand Jury for review on Tuesday December 14, 2021

The Grand Jury returned a true bill on the charge of Recklessly Endangering Another.  Officer Lorimor was arraigned on Tuesday January 25th and entered a plea of not guilt.  The Junction City Police has faith in, and supports, the criminal justice and grand jury process, and believes the matter will be resolved in a judiciously fair manner.

Officer Lorimor was first hired with Oregon State Police as a Recruit in 1984, promoted to a Trooper in 1985, promoted to a Senior Trooper in 1992, and was promoted to a Sergeant in 2001.  Officer Lorimor also served as an interim Station Commander in the Newport patrol office.  Officer Lorimor honorably retired as a Sergeant from OSP in 2011, but continuously served as a seasonal trooper assigned to Judicial Security, dignitary Protection Unit, and as well as working in the Fish and Wildlife Division as an Access and Habitat Trooper through 2019.  During his tenure with OSP Officer Lorimor served in several different assignments including SWAT for 8 years, Honor Guard for 24 years, and as a police motorcycle officer and instructor for at least 8 Years.  In addition, Officer Lorimor served as a TEAM Oregon motorcycle instructor for 25 years.  Officer Lorimor joined the Junction City Police Department in 2019 where he has meritoriously served since.  Officer Lorimor has been reassigned to a non-enforcement function until the judicial process is completed.