Union County Sheriff's Office, Oregon
End of Watch: Wednesday, November 5, 1980
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: November 5, 1980
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Killed in collision
Deputy Cheney and Deputy Raymond Williams were killed when their patrol pickup was struck head-on by a drunk driver on Highway 82 near Elgin, Oregon. The drunk driver was also killed in the collision. The deputies were returning from a search and rescue mission when the incident occurred.
Deputy Cheney had only served with the department for 14 days and had previously served with the Douglas County Sheriff's Department. He was survived by his two daughters, parents, and siblings.