Police Officer Jason Alan Hoerauf

Police Officer Jason Alan Hoerauf

Albany Police Department, Oregon

End of Watch Tuesday, September 4, 2001

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Jason Alan Hoerauf

Police Officer Jason Hoerauf and Senior Trooper Maria Mignano, of the Oregon State Police, were struck and killed by the driver of a vehicle at approximately 7:00 pm while assisting the family of a disabled van on I-5 near mile marker 243.

Officer Hoerauf was on a ride-along with his mentor, Sergeant John Burright, when the two stopped to assist the van. Trooper Mignano responded to the scene to back them up. While the three officers were standing on the right side of the van, which was parked on the right shoulder, a pickup truck suddenly swerved across a lane of traffic. The pickup struck the right rear of Trooper Mignano's patrol car, traveled along the other two vehicles, and struck all three officers. The driver of the vehicle was driving on a suspended license at the time and had fallen asleep while driving.

Trooper Mignano and Officer Hoerauf succumbed to their injuries at the scene. Sergeant Burright was flown to a local hospital in extremely critical condition. He suffered critical injuries that caused him to medically retire in early 2002. He remained under continuous medical care until succumbing to complications of his injuries on May 4th, 2021.

In December 2001, the man plead guilty to criminally negligent homicide and was sentenced to two days in jail and three years of probation as part of a plea bargain.

Officer Hoerauf had served with the Albany Police Department for 10 months. He is survived by his 3-month-old daughter.

Bio

  • Age 29
  • Tour 10 months
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Struck by vehicle

disabled motorist

Most Recent Reflection

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There’s a place in our heart that you will be
And in our memories when you’re with Thee
The senseless death that happened to you
Makes a part of our souls seem very blue

A son, brother, friend to all
A brand new daddy with his girl so small
A grieving family misses you so much
Misses your voice and the feel of your touch

But on with our life, we must go on our way
Our memories of Jason Hoerauf will forever stay
The happy and sad times you all did share
We know in our hearts that he truly did care

Jason will always be with you, as you will see
So stay strong in your heart and it will be
A strength for you and your daughter each day
Because the love of a best friend will not go away

It will always be there throughout the days
Helping and encouraging you in many ways
Remember, he’s not very far from your mind and your heart
Even though, unfortunately, you are physically apart

Your daughter has a father that loves her so much
And you are her role model with your gentle touch
Do you feel it in your heart, that warm spot there
That is the feeling you get when you know he is near

God bless you and your family

Kathryn Kaleikini (Wilkerson)
I wrote this poem on 9-8-2001 for officer Hoerauf

Still thinking of your family today

Kathryn Wilkerson

September 29, 2021

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