Douglas County Honors Fallen Officers During Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony

ROSEBURG, Ore. — Douglas County officials, law enforcement agencies, families and community members gathered Thursday at the Douglas County Courthouse for the county’s annual Peace Officer Memorial Day Ceremony.

The ceremony, hosted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, honored law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty and recognized local officers serving across Douglas County today.

During the event, Douglas County Commissioner Chris Boice read a proclamation on behalf of Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice and Tim Freeman, declaring Friday, May 15, 2026, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 10-16, 2026, as National Police Week in Douglas County.

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The proclamation called on residents to “observe May 15, 2026, as Peace Officers Memorial Day” in memory of officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities. It also asked residents to recognize the families of fallen officers and honor law enforcement officers, past and present, for their service.

As part of the observance, the county directed facilities staff to light the front exterior of the Douglas County Courthouse in blue during National Police Week.

The ceremony included a presentation of colors, the Peace Officer Memorial Flag being raised and lowered to half-staff, ceremonial wreath placements, a special radio “end of watch” broadcast, a 21-gun salute, taps and bagpipe performances of “The Green Hills of Tyrol” and “Amazing Grace.”

Six fallen Douglas County law enforcement officers were honored during the ceremony:

• Officer Donald DeSues, Roseburg Police Department, EOW Aug. 7, 1959
• Special Deputy Ronald H. Terwilliger, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, EOW July 23, 1985
• Corporal Virgle D. Knight Jr., Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, EOW July 23, 1985
• Sergeant Gerald G. Chirrick, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, EOW July 23, 1985
• Deputy Morris L. Taylor, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, EOW Sept. 14, 2002
• Deputy S. Allen Burdic, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, EOW March 11, 2021

Following the ceremony, proclamation certificates were presented to attending law enforcement agencies, including the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Roseburg Police Department, Winston Police Department, Myrtle Creek Police Department, Roseburg VA Health Care System Police Department, Oregon State Police and the Interagency Honor Guard.

County officials also acknowledged other agencies and organizations for their support, including the Sutherlin Police Department, Reedsport Police Department, Cow Creek Tribal Police Department, Roseburg BLM Rangers Office, U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement, Roseburg Fire Department, DINT, Douglas County Parole and Probation, Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement families and community members.

A video of the full ceremony is available on the Douglas County Government Facebook page. National information about Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week is available through the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.