UPDATE #3: INFORMATION SHARED DURING MONDAY MORNING BRIEFING REGARDING LINCOLN CITY POLICE OFFICER SHOOTING INVESTIGATION AND SEARCH
Posted: January 24th, 2011 11:29 AM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2011-01/1002/41452/Dodds.pdf
NOTE: Photograph is a pdf file of Officer Steven Dodds. No jpg file photo available at this time.
*** The following information was discussed during Monday's 10:15 a.m. briefing at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland ***
Present during media briefing:
Lieutenant Jerry Palmer - Lincoln City Police Department
Tracy Burt - Friend for over 34 years and an Officer with Port of Portland Police
Lieutenant Gregg Hastings - Oregon State Police Public Information Officer
The suspect who shot and critically injured a Lincoln City police officer Sunday night during a traffic stop has not been located or positively identified. A multi-agency investigation is continuing and the search in the north end of Waldport has been ongoing since 11:30 p.m. after the suspect fled the vehicle he was driving.
The officer is identified as STEVEN B. DODDS, age 45, a six year veteran with Lincoln City Police Department. Officer DODDS was recognized last year by his fellow officers as the department's "Officer of the Year". He remains in critical condition at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland after undergoing emergency surgery upon arrival. He is not married and is the father of an 18-year old daughter.
Additional information provided and discussed:
* While the suspect was attempting to elude Newport officders he fired multiple shots at the officers, striking two patrol vehicles. No officers were injured.
* While attempting to elude the officers, a private citizen's vehicle was struck by gunfire. The female driver was not injured.
* Officer DODDS did not fire any shots during the stop.
* Officer DODDS was able to call his dispatch to tell them he had been shot.
* Lincoln City Police Department is investigating the shooting of Officer DODDS.
* Oregon State Police (OSP) Criminal Investigations Division is the lead investigating agency of the incidents after the officer's shooting.
Previously released information also reviewed:
A Lincoln City police officer is in critical condition after he was shot Sunday night during a traffic stop on Highway 101 on the south end of Lincoln City. A multi-agency search is currently underway for the unidentified suspect just north of Waldport after he fled a vehicle on foot west of Highway 101. The highway has been closed since about 11:30 p.m. between NW Sandpiper Drive and the Waldport bridge while law enforcement officers search for the armed and dangerous suspect.
According to Lincoln City Police Chief Steven Bechard, on January 23, 2011 at approximately 11:00 p.m. Officer STEVEN DODDS stopped a 1984 Dodge sport utility vehicle for a speed violation. During contact with the unidentified white male adult driver DODDS was shot more than one time. The suspect fled in the vehicle south.
DODDS was initially transported to North Lincoln Samaritan Hospital and then transferred by REACH air ambulance to Legacy Emanuel Hospital where he is currently in critical condition. Next of kin have been notified and are at the hospital with fellow officers and friends.
After the shooting, Newport police spotted the suspect vehicle and it attempted to elude officers southbound on Highway 101. While fleeing officers, the suspect fired several shots but no officers were injured.
At approximately 11:32 p.m. Lincoln County Sheriff's Office deployed spike strips near milepost 153 after which the suspect stopped the vehicle and was seen fleeing on foot west from the highway into a wooded area. Two reverse 9-1-1 calls have been made to area residents advising of the search.
Highway 101 was opened in both directions about 8:30 a.m. with restricted access to side streets. Area residents and travelers are cautioned to not pick up hitchhikers or unknown persons seeking a ride from the area.
Officers from Oregon State Police (OSP), Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, Benton County Sheriff's Office, Newport Police Department, and Toledo Police Department are searching in the area. The OSP SWAT team has responded to assist. ODOT, Waldport Fire Department, and Lincoln City Fire Department are assisting with road closures.
Anyone seeing anything suspicious or suspicious persons in the Waldport area is asked to immediately call 9-1-1.
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
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