Robert Ray Anderson
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

Robert Ray Anderson

Felonious
End of Watch December 1, 1994
Age 49
Tour of Duty 6 mo
The Vigil Panel 141 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Robert Anderson succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained 25 years on March 5, 1969, at the Woodland Park Hospital in Portland.

Two deputies were transporting a man to the hospital after not being able to calm him down during a disturbance call. As soon as they arrived at the Woodland Park Hospital, the man reached over the back seat of the patrol car, grabbed a gun, and shot Deputy Anderson and another deputy. While the man's friend was attempting to take the gun away and subdue the man, he was also struck. The subject was apprehended and placed under arrest.

The suspect was found innocent by reason of insanity and was committed to the Oregon State Hospital.

The wound caused Deputy Anderson to become paralyzed. He died from complications of the wound on December 1, 1994.

Deputy Anderson had served with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office for only six months.

Survivors

He was survived by his father, sister, and caregiver.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-OR-891CB8C3
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
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.
Deputy Sheriff Anderson served with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Portland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Anderson.

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

Agency

Type Sheriff's Office
Location Portland, Multnomah County, OR
Platform Identity mcso.multnomah.or.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 1, 1994
Tour of Duty 6 mo
Age 49
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun

Deputy Sheriff Robert Ray Anderson 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 Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, 9 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90% of this agency's fallen.

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office
9
of 10 officers
90% Felonious
OR — Statewide
115
of 197 officers
58.4% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Ray Anderson's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Robert Ray Anderson Compares

Age at Death
49
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
0.5
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Ray Anderson is highlighted in Dec.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Ray Anderson was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location