Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Oregon
End of Watch Tuesday, July 23, 1985
Add to My HeroesGerald G. Chirrick
Sergeant Gerald Chirrick, Corporal Virgle Knight, and Special Deputy Ronald Terwilliger 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.
Sergeant Chirrick was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He had served with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office for 16 years and had previously served with the Reedsport Police Department. He was survived by his wife, two sons, daughter, mother, and siblings.
Bio
- Age 44
- Tour 16 years
- Badge 103
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Aircraft accident
Related LODD Deaths
Corporal Virgle Dewey Knight, Jr.
Douglas County Sheriff's Office, OR
EOW: July 23, 1985
Special Deputy Sheriff Ronald Henry Terwilliger
Douglas County Sheriff's Office, OR
EOW: July 23, 1985
Most Recent Reflection
View all 11 ReflectionsSgt. Chirrick,
On today, the 32nd anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a LEO but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
July 23, 2017
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