James D. Shepherd

Oregon State Police — Salem, OR

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch May 22, 1980

Age 49

Tour of Duty 23 yrs

The Vigil Panel 122 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 30

Incident

Sergeant James Shepherd was shot and killed by a lone assailant in rural Clatsop County near Highway 30 at approximately 7:00 p.m. Sergeant Shepherd and another off-duty officer were in the area chopping wood. After shooting Sergeant Shepherd, the suspect took his motorcycle and fled the area. The suspect had been released from prison. He was apprehended six days later. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life. He was denied parole in 2022 and 2025. In 2007, U.S. Marine Corps North Coast Detachment 1228 created the Clatsop County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award in honor of Sergeant Shepherd. Sergeant Shepherd was a United States Air Force veteran and served in the Korean War. He had served with the Oregon State Police Department for 23 years and was commander of the Astoria Patrol Office.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OR-E538E17D
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Shepherd gave the Oregon State Police 23 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Oregon, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Oregon State Police

Location Salem, OR

Platform Identity osp.or.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 22, 1980

Tour of Duty 23 yrs

Age 49

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle; .30-.30

Offender Sentenced to life

Military Service

James D. Shepherd served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Sergeant James D. Shepherd is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 4.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

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.

Oregon State Police

of 31 officers

51.6% Felonious

OR — Statewide

115

of 197 officers

58.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious