VANCOUVER — The Clark County Sheriff’s Office will hold its annual Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony Thursday, at 11 a.m. in the Plaza of the County Public Service Center, located at 1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver..
In recognition of National Police Week, members of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office will honor past Line of Duty Deaths with the theme of “Gone But Not Forgotten.’’
This CVTV video shows the 2016 Annual Law Enforcement Ceremony.
Here’s a look at those past Line of Duty Deaths suffered over the years by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office:
Sergeant
Bradley W. Crawford
Clark County Sheriff’s Department
End of Watch: Fri., July 30, 2004
Sergeant Crawford was killed when his patrol car was intentionally rammed by a car fleeing the scene of a standoff. Deputies had originally responded to a home to investigate reports of a domestic dispute. When they arrived at the scene, the male subject refused to come outside and was observed pointing a rifle out of a window. A SWAT team and negotiator were requested, but before they arrived the suspect, who was still armed, crawled to his pickup truck in the driveway.
The suspect fled the scene in the truck, but struck the driver’s side of Sergeant Crawford’s patrol car at 124th Avenue and 114th Street. Sergeant Crawford was flown to a hospital in Portland where he succumbed to his injuries two hours later.
The suspect was treated and released from a local hospital and charged with murder and vehicular homicide. He was convicted of second degree murder on June 28, 2006. He was sentenced to 29 years in prison on July 28, 2006.
Sergeant Crawford had served with the Clark County Sheriff’s Department for 8 years. He had previously served with the Los Angeles, California, Police Department, and the Flagstaff, Arizona, Police Department for 13 years. He is survived by his wife, five children, and three grandchildren.
Deputy Sheriff
Martin S. Sowders
Clark County Sheriff’s Department, Washington
End of Watch: Fri., Nov. 19, 1976
Deputy Martin Sowders was accidentally shot and killed by another deputy during a shootout with a suspect wanted for robbing a pharmacy. During the arrest the man opened fire on the deputies. Deputy Sowders was struck by return fire from one of the other deputies. The suspect was later identified as an escaped convict from the Washington State Penitentiary.
Deputy Sowders had served seven years with the agency and was survived by his wife and child.
Sheriff
Lester Wood
Clark County Sheriff’s Department, Washington
End of Watch: Sun., May 22, 1927
Sheriff Wood was shot and killed as he and other deputies were searching for illegal stills in the woods of Clark County. While walking a trail, they encountered a man carrying a rifle. Sheriff Wood ordered the man stop, but the man instead shot him. Sheriff Wood returned fire and wounded the suspect.
The man was arrested and convicted of Sheriff Wood’s murder. The man was hanged at Walla Walla State Prison.
Deputy Sheriff
Willfred E. Rorisen
Clark County Sheriff’s Department
End of Watch: Mon., Aug. 7, 1922
Deputy Willfred Rorisen was shot and killed while assisting a federal prohibition agents raid on a still in a rural part of the county. When the officers arrived they encountered one of the suspects making moonshine and attempted to arrest him. The man opened fire with a 30-30 rifle, fatally wounding Deputy Rorisen. The other agents were able to return fire and killed the suspect.
K9 Kane
Clark County Sheriff’s Department, Washington
End of Watch: Sun., April 10, 2011
K9 Kane was stabbed to death during an arrest of two subjects who had been driving in a car with stolen license plates in the area of Northeast 76th Street and 117th Avenue.
The subjects fled during a traffic stop and K9 Kane was released on them. He had bit one of the subjects and was stabbed, then bit him again before being stabbed a second time. He was rushed to an animal hospital where he died.
Both subjects were arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
K9 Kane had served with the Clark County Sheriff’s Department for six years.
Information, video and photos courtesy of Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
