On May 13th, 2013 the names of four fallen Portland Police Officers will be inscribed into the National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall in Washington D.C..

Last year the Portland Police Museum Director, Jim Huff, and Assistant Director, Leslie Poole began an investigation into the number of officers who have died on duty during the history of the Portland Police bureau.  The total number was surprisingly high, nearly 200.  The cause of death of the majority of those officers were medical related.  However, further investigation into the deaths revealed a number of officers whose deaths may have been overlooked for memorial status.  Both Jim and Leslie spent a great deal of time researching Police Bureau records, City of Portland records, Medical Examiner records, microfilm records of newspaper accounts, and even attempted to locate living descendants of the officers.

At this time three new names have been awarded National Memorial status, and a fourth name that is currently on our Memorial Wall, was found to not have been added to the National Wall.  On May 13th, all four of these names will be inscribed on the National Memorial Wall.

 

• Ofc Glenn Logan Litzenberg, EOW April 19th, 1918.

Ofc Litzenberg was hit by a vehicle while on motorcycle patrol at East 7th/Beech.

He died of his injuries at the scene.

He was 31 years old.

 

• Ofc James David Wright, EOW January 21st, 1923.

Ofc Wright died of pneumonia contracted from a deceased individual while conducting the death investigation.  The S.O.P. at that time was for the investigating officer to stay with the body until the coroner arrived.  Ofc Wright died three days later.

He was 36 years old.

 

• Ofc Charles E. Vincent, EOW March 22nd, 1942.

Ofc Vincent was on foot patrol when he was hit and killed by a drunk driver.

He was 66 years old.

Ofc Vincent is currently on the Portland Police Memorial Wall, but a Historical Society Board Member discovered that he had not been nominated for National Memorial Status.

 

• Ofc Gilbert Haven Horton, EOW December 23rd, 1946.

Ofc Gilbert died of a heart attack while making an arrest at Union Station.

He was 65 years old.

 

During the inscription ceremony members of the Portland Police Honor Guard will be present.

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Both Jim Huff and Leslie Poole are continuing to look into other deaths to determine if any others qualify for memorial status.  The research into these incidents is extremely time consuming, and their dedication to this and other historical research, is to be commended.

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The Portland Police Historical Society is a non-profit charitable 501(c)3 organization that is supported by your donations.  Work such as this would not be possible without your continued support.  If you’re not currently a member of the Portland Police Historical Society and wish to be, I’ve attached a payroll deduction form.  A monthly donation of five dollars makes you a member, and is listed at the end of the year on your charitable tax deductions.  Just fill it out and return the form to Fiscal.

If you want more information, you can contact the museum at 823-0019, or contact me.

Ofc. Scott Foster #23591

Portland Police Bureau

Portland Police Historical Society, President