Officer Thomas Layton Jeffries

Officer Thomas Layton Jeffries

Portland Police Bureau, Oregon

End of Watch Monday, July 21, 1997

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Thomas Layton Jeffries

Officer Thomas Jeffries was shot and killed near the intersection of NE Glisan Street and NE 160th Avenue while attempting to apprehend a man wanted in connection with the shooting of a 7-year-old.

As Officer Jeffries was backing up another officer who was stopping the suspect's vehicle, the suspect ran from the car and across some yards. Officer Jeffries pulled into a driveway, exited his vehicle, and immediately came under fire. One round struck his chest just above his vest. He was able to return fire and struck the suspect in the leg.

The suspect dropped his weapon and ran into nearby woods where he was later found and arrested by a canine team.

Officer Jeffries had served with the Portland Police Bureau for five years. He was survived by his expectant wife, also a member of the Portland Police Bureau. Officer Jeffries' son was born after his death.

Bio

  • Age 35
  • Tour 5 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Incident Date Sunday, July 20, 1997
  • Weapon Handgun
  • Offender Shot and wounded by Patrolman Jeffries

traffic stop, warrant service

Most Recent Reflection

View all 47 Reflections

It has been over 25 years, but I woke from another heartbreaking dream about you this morning. A dream that reminded me you were deep in my heart and just as I remembered. Now though, I saw little haunting clues that I was living in a dream. A dream where I knew that, although you stood in front of me, you were no longer really there. I asked you questions that you couldn't answer because your lovely image was simply the reflection of my own aching heart.

Vicki Jeffries

December 30, 2022

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