Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Oregon
End of Watch: Tuesday, July 23, 1985
Age: 36
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Badge Number: 9135
Cause of Death: Aircraft accident
Date of Incident: July 23, 1985
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Special Deputy Ronald Terwilliger, Corporal Virgle Knight, and Sergeant Gerald Chirrick were killed in a helicopter crash while conducting a marijuana eradication operation.
The helicopter crashed after striking power lines as it took off from the parking area of the Canton Creek Campground in the Umppqua National Forest.
Special Deputy Terwilliger had served with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office for one year. He is survived by his wife, son, and three daughters. He was a United States Army veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart.