Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Amos Helms succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on October 18th, 1931, in La Grande, Oregon, as he and another trooper approached a vehicle that matched the description of a vehicle used in a bank hold-up. He and the other trooper had been notified of the car, which was parked at a filling station at the corner of Greenwood Street and Adams Street. The occupants of the vehicle opened fire on the officers as they approached it. Both subjects fled the scene but were captured after a massive search. They were convicted and sentenced to life in imprisonment without possibility of parole for the murder of Trooper Helms. One of the men was granted a conditional pardon in 1942, and the other was paroled in 1950. Trooper Helms had served with the Oregon State Police for six months.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Helms served with the Oregon State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of Oregon. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Helms.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper Amos L. Helms is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In OR, 115 of 197 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.4% of this state's fallen. That is 58.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Oregon State Police, 16 of 31 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Amos L. Helms's cause is highlighted.
How Amos L. Helms Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Amos L. Helms is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Amos L. Helms was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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