Deputy Sheriff Irving Lawrence Burkett

Irving Lawrence Burkett

Deputy Sheriff Irving Burkett succumbed to injuries sustained on July 25, 1982, when he was shot during an escape attempt from the Rocky Butte Jail in Portland.

On July 25, 1982, an inmate had a .22 caliber pistol smuggled into the jail. He and five other inmates held Deputy Burkett and another guard hostage while they prepared to escape. When Deputy Burkett broke away and sounded the alarm, the inmate shot Deputy Burkett in the head.

The felon was captured a month later and sentenced to 90 years in prison. He was denied parole in 2013 and died in prison in 2019. The other five inmates were sentenced to an additional 10-50 years.

Deputy Burkett was permanently disabled, with the bullet remaining lodged near his brain stem. He lost his eyesight and was unable to walk on his own. He died from complications of the wound on August 21, 2003.

The Rocky Butte Jail was closed and demolished in 1984.

Deputy Burkett had served with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office for 14 years. He was survived by his wife.