Douglas Co. Sheriff's Office

Emergency Messages as of 5:26 PM, Sat. May 16

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News Release

Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony To Be Held Thursday - 05/13/26

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating every May 15th as Peace Officer Memorial Day and the week in which it falls, National Police Week. 

Across the United States, ceremonies are held to remember those serving in law enforcement who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities.

 

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office will host a local Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 9:00 am on the front lawn of the Courthouse. This ceremony, which is open to members of the community, will pay tribute to the six Douglas County law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty:

 

•    Officer Donald DeSues - Roseburg Police Department - EOW August 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 September 14, 2002
•    Deputy S. Allen Burdic - Douglas County Sheriff's Office - EOW March 11, 2021

 

The tribute will include a proclamation reading by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, a police honor guard, wreath laying ceremony, bagpipes, a 21-gun salute and a county-wide radio broadcast.

Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony To Be Held Thursday - 05/13/26

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating every May 15th as Peace Officer Memorial Day and the week in which it falls, National Police Week. 

Across the United States, ceremonies are held to remember those serving in law enforcement who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities.

 

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office will host a local Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 9:00 am on the front lawn of the Courthouse. This ceremony, which is open to members of the community, will pay tribute to the six Douglas County law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty:

 

•    Officer Donald DeSues - Roseburg Police Department - EOW August 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 September 14, 2002
•    Deputy S. Allen Burdic - Douglas County Sheriff's Office - EOW March 11, 2021

 

The tribute will include a proclamation reading by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, a police honor guard, wreath laying ceremony, bagpipes, a 21-gun salute and a county-wide radio broadcast.

Sheriff's Office Warns About Scam Callers - 04/30/26

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - Scammers are posing as officials from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) in an effort to scam community members out of money. Deputies have once again begun receiving reports from people contacted by phone by individuals posing as DCSO employees.
 

The scammer will tell the intended victim they have missed some type of court appearance, failed to appear for jury duty, they owe fines or have a warrant for their arrest and eventually demands payment. The victim is often directed to immediately make payment or they face consequences including arrest. These are tactics that are never utilized by legitimate law enforcement agencies. 
 

It is critically important for our community to be aware of these tactics and to share them with their friends and family members, especially those who may be vulnerable to falling victim to the scams, such as the elderly members of the community. However, we also wish to remind the community not to focus too much on specific scam tactics; scammers often change their methods over time:

  • Scammers can easily obtain new phone numbers and will change them often.
  • Scammers may use “spoof” programs to make the Caller ID show an agency’s actual phone number.  
  • Scammers may use the names of actual DCSO employees to make the call seem legitimate.  
  • Scammers may obtain personal information about a victim online including their name, address, phone number, and the names of others in the home. 
  • Scammers may initially contact victims by mail, email, or through social media.

Due to the technology used in the scam – and the fact that scammers can be located anywhere in the world – it is virtually impossible to track the scammers or to get money back.

“If anyone has any question about a possible scam call, they should call the law enforcement dispatch center at (541) 440-4471 and ask to speak to a deputy,” said Undersheriff Brad O'Dell.  “The most important thing is to not send any money or agree to meet someone to make payment.”

Sheriff's Office Warns About Scam Callers - 04/30/26

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - Scammers are posing as officials from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) in an effort to scam community members out of money. Deputies have once again begun receiving reports from people contacted by phone by individuals posing as DCSO employees.
 

The scammer will tell the intended victim they have missed some type of court appearance, failed to appear for jury duty, they owe fines or have a warrant for their arrest and eventually demands payment. The victim is often directed to immediately make payment or they face consequences including arrest. These are tactics that are never utilized by legitimate law enforcement agencies. 
 

It is critically important for our community to be aware of these tactics and to share them with their friends and family members, especially those who may be vulnerable to falling victim to the scams, such as the elderly members of the community. However, we also wish to remind the community not to focus too much on specific scam tactics; scammers often change their methods over time:

  • Scammers can easily obtain new phone numbers and will change them often.
  • Scammers may use “spoof” programs to make the Caller ID show an agency’s actual phone number.  
  • Scammers may use the names of actual DCSO employees to make the call seem legitimate.  
  • Scammers may obtain personal information about a victim online including their name, address, phone number, and the names of others in the home. 
  • Scammers may initially contact victims by mail, email, or through social media.

Due to the technology used in the scam – and the fact that scammers can be located anywhere in the world – it is virtually impossible to track the scammers or to get money back.

“If anyone has any question about a possible scam call, they should call the law enforcement dispatch center at (541) 440-4471 and ask to speak to a deputy,” said Undersheriff Brad O'Dell.  “The most important thing is to not send any money or agree to meet someone to make payment.”

UPDATE: Victims Identified In Fatal House Fire; Homicide Investigation Ongoing - 04/21/26

UPDATE 04/21/2026 10:30 AM 

REEDSPORT, Ore. - Detectives have identified the two victims of the April 16, 2026, fatal house fire on Lower Smith River Road as 65-year-old Bodie Bren Dye of Reedsport and 67-year-old Gregory Scott Henning, also of Reedsport. Next of kin notifications have been made. 

 

The Douglas County Major Crimes Team continues to investigate the incident as a homicide. No further updates are expected at this time.

 

###

ORIGINAL RELEASE 04/17/2026 4:00 PM

REEDSPORT, Ore. – A Reedsport woman is in custody on murder charges following a residential house fire Thursday night.

 

On Thursday, April 16, 2026, shortly before 11:00 p.m., Douglas County 911 received a report of a structure fire in the 27000‑block of Lower Smith River Road. Callers reported individuals were unaccounted for and possibly still inside the residence.

 

Deputies and firefighters responded to the scene. Upon arrival, deputies attempted rescue and located one individual who was pulled from the house. Despite lifesaving efforts, the 65‑year‑old victim was pronounced deceased. A second victim, aged 67, was also located inside and declared deceased. A third individual was able to escape the residence and was uninjured. Identification of the victims is being withheld pending next‑of‑kin notification.

 

Deputies contacted a female at the scene, identified as 41‑year‑old Pamela Anne Westfall of Reedsport, who was detained. Westfall admitted to intentionally starting the fire inside the residence. Early indications suggest the fire began following a disturbance.

 

Westfall was arrested and lodged at the Douglas County Jail on the following charges:


• Murder in the First Degree (2 counts)
• Attempted Murder
• Arson in the First Degree
• Warrant Arrest

 

The Douglas County Major Crimes Team is continuing to investigate the incident. The Sheriff’s Office is the lead investigative agency. The Major Crimes Team consists of investigators from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Roseburg Police Department, and Oregon State Police, working in consultation with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.

 

Additional assistance was provided by the Winchester Bay Fire Department, Reedsport Fire Department, Gardiner Fire Department, Oregon State Police Arson Investigation, Oregon State Police Crime Laboratory, Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office, and Reedsport Police Department.

 

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information that may assist the case is asked to contact investigators at 541‑440‑4471, referencing Case #26‑1212.

UPDATE: Victims Identified In Fatal House Fire; Homicide Investigation Ongoing - 04/21/26

UPDATE 04/21/2026 10:30 AM 

REEDSPORT, Ore. - Detectives have identified the two victims of the April 16, 2026, fatal house fire on Lower Smith River Road as 65-year-old Bodie Bren Dye of Reedsport and 67-year-old Gregory Scott Henning, also of Reedsport. Next of kin notifications have been made. 

 

The Douglas County Major Crimes Team continues to investigate the incident as a homicide. No further updates are expected at this time.

 

###

ORIGINAL RELEASE 04/17/2026 4:00 PM

REEDSPORT, Ore. – A Reedsport woman is in custody on murder charges following a residential house fire Thursday night.

 

On Thursday, April 16, 2026, shortly before 11:00 p.m., Douglas County 911 received a report of a structure fire in the 27000‑block of Lower Smith River Road. Callers reported individuals were unaccounted for and possibly still inside the residence.

 

Deputies and firefighters responded to the scene. Upon arrival, deputies attempted rescue and located one individual who was pulled from the house. Despite lifesaving efforts, the 65‑year‑old victim was pronounced deceased. A second victim, aged 67, was also located inside and declared deceased. A third individual was able to escape the residence and was uninjured. Identification of the victims is being withheld pending next‑of‑kin notification.

 

Deputies contacted a female at the scene, identified as 41‑year‑old Pamela Anne Westfall of Reedsport, who was detained. Westfall admitted to intentionally starting the fire inside the residence. Early indications suggest the fire began following a disturbance.

 

Westfall was arrested and lodged at the Douglas County Jail on the following charges:


• Murder in the First Degree (2 counts)
• Attempted Murder
• Arson in the First Degree
• Warrant Arrest

 

The Douglas County Major Crimes Team is continuing to investigate the incident. The Sheriff’s Office is the lead investigative agency. The Major Crimes Team consists of investigators from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Roseburg Police Department, and Oregon State Police, working in consultation with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.

 

Additional assistance was provided by the Winchester Bay Fire Department, Reedsport Fire Department, Gardiner Fire Department, Oregon State Police Arson Investigation, Oregon State Police Crime Laboratory, Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office, and Reedsport Police Department.

 

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information that may assist the case is asked to contact investigators at 541‑440‑4471, referencing Case #26‑1212.