Myrtle Point Police Department, Oregon
End of Watch: Friday, April 22, 1988
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Badge Number: 405
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: April 21, 1988
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Convicted of involuntary manslaughter
Patrol Officer Gene McCurry was struck and killed by a drunk driver while directing traffic at a crash scene on Highway 42 near North Bank Road in Coquille at 6:45 p.m.
The collision blocked all but one lane. Witnesses say Officer McCurry moved to one side, and the truck matched him move for move. It is possible Officer McCurry changed positions to avoid having the truck plow into the first accident. That crash could have killed at least 5 people.
Officer McCurry was transported to Bay Area Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the next day.
The drunk driver was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
Officer McCurry was a United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and had served in law enforcement for 15 years, serving with the Myrtle Point Police Department, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Police Department, Oakridge Police Department, Toledo Police Department, Estacada Police Department, and Gold Beach Police Department. He was survived by his wife, four children, father, brother, and two sisters.