In 1969 a tragedy occurred in Lincoln County when Toledo Police reserve officer Gary L. Sumpter lost his life while saving a fellow police officer during an officer-involved shooting with a 17-year-old suspect. It has taken 55 years but now Officer Sumpter is being recognized for his sacrifice. On Tuesday, December 10th at Toledo City Hall the family of Officer Sumpter gathered for a special memorial ceremony. Toledo Mayor Rod Cross along with Toledo Police Chief Pace, State Representative Gomberg and Senator Anderson have been working diligently to get the recognition from the state and for a Fallen Officer Memorial Sign to Officer Gary Sumpter. This year the legislature finally passed House Concurrent Resolution 21 recognizing the sacrifice and honoring Officer Sumpter.
Toledo Police Chief Pace stated "Officer Sumpter will always be a part of the legacy of the Toledo Police Department. Every new police department employee reads your file and understands your devotion and sacrifice. You will never be forgotten." Toledo Mayor Rod Cross apologized to the family of Officer Sumpter and to law enforcement for what he called the egregious amount of time that it took to make this memorial happen. "Officer Sumpter stepped up on that day on March 15th,1969 to protect a fellow officer and our communities from a dangerous offender. Finally today, 55 years later we officially recognize and honor his and his family's sacrifice for all of us. May today bring a hero to light and the family some closure."
Narrative of what happened the day Officer Sumpter lost his life provided by Chief Pace:
On March 15th,1969, the suspect was seen speeding traveling westbound on Highway 20 through Newport. The suspect drove in front of Oregon State Trooper Durr’s patrol and Newport Police Officer Eiwalt’s patrol car at a high rate of speed. The suspect then turned around and headed eastbound on Highway 20. Trooper Durr and Officer Eiwalt attempted to pull the car over but the suspect continued and a high speed pursuit was initiated. Officer Ewalt radioed for assistance from Toledo Officer Gary Sumpter at 11:15 pm.
The pursuit traveled past the West Junction then the suspect made a U-turn in
the highway and traveled westbound on Highway 20. Officer Sumpter was sitting at the West Junction. The suspect saw Officer Sumpter and traveled north on Highway 229 and was soon second in the pursuit. In an attempt to get the driver to pull over, Trooper Durr drove alongside of the car and motioned him to pull over. The suspect continued past Siletz.
At approximately mile post 15 on Highway 229, the suspect gained a considerable distance between him and the pursuing officers. He rounded a blind corner, parked his car perpendicular across the highway, got out with his 30.06 and opened fire on the approaching Trooper Durr. A bullet from the 30.06 hit Trooper Durr’s car, split in half with one half traveling through the windshield and the other going into the air filter.
Trooper Durr quickly exited his vehicle and ran to the rear driver side of the patrol car for
cover. He peeked out from behind cover and was shot in the face. Trooper Durr then noticed that his car was not in park and it started to roll forward. Officer Sumpter arrived on scene during the shooting, got out of his car, took a defensive stance behind his driver side door and told Trooper Durr to retreat to the back of Officer Sumpter’s car. Officer Sumpter shot at the suspect diverting the suspects attention from Trooper Durr. Newport Officer Eiwalt arrived on scene. Trooper Durr, stemming the bleeding to his face with a hankerchief was no longer pinned down, and ran to take a defensive position behind Officer Sumpter’s patrol car.
The suspect shot at Officer Sumpter. The bullet traveled through the driver side door, into Officer Sumpter’s badge and into his heart. Officer Sumpter was able to retreat to
the rear of his car before succumbing to his injuries. The suspect then got back in his car, drove through a police barricade, and parked his car just shy of the 101 intersection. Responding officers approached the suspects’ car as the suspect pointed his rifle at
them. They immediately took a defensive position and witnessed the suspect take his own life.
The fallen officer memorial sign, pictured above will be placed on highway 229 in 2025.
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