Prev
Incident
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.
Survivors
He is survived by his 3-month-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp7x7awv45r5as5gbf8q- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Jason. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Hoerauf served with the Albany Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Hoerauf.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Jason is the only officer of Albany Police Department remembered here.
Jason is one of 66 officers lost to accidents in OR, 33.5% of the 197 remembered there.
Jason is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jason is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 2 officers in OR were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 45 years on record. The heaviest was 1961, with 3.
In 2001, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2001, 89 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Jason was 29. Of the 59 lost to accidents in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 44.5; the middle age was 36. Jason had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Jason was 29. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Jason had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jason was 29. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Jason had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 15.2% of these deaths in OR; May holds the most, 16.7%. Tuesdays: 22.7%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Albany Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 33.5% of all 197 deaths in OR, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Albany Police Department are honored on badge.nw.