Oregon State Police, Oregon
End of Watch: Thursday, May 22, 1980
Age: 49
Tour of Duty: 23 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 22, 1980
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Sergeant James Shepherd was shot and killed by a lone assailant while on patrol in rural Clatsop County at approximately 1900 hours.
The suspect had just been released from prison. He was apprehended after holding another officer at gunpoint. He plead guilty and was sentenced to life. He is up for parole in May of 2022.
In 2007, U.S. Marine Corps North Coast Detachment 1228 created the Clatsop County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award in honor of Sergeant Shepherd.
Sergeant Shepherd was a United States Air Force veteran and served in the Korean War. He had served with the Oregon State Police Department for 23 years and was commander of the Astoria Patrol Office. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.