Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Gil Datan was killed in an ATV crash while patrolling timber lands between Green Acres Road and South Sumner Road, near Coos Bay.
It is believed that he was thrown from the ATV when it rolled down a steep embankment between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm. The vehicle landed on top of him, causing him to suffer fatal injuries.
A massive search was initiated after he failed to check in with dispatch at the end of his shift at 4:00 pm. The crash site was located at approximately 9:45 pm.
Deputy Datan had served with the Coos County Sheriff's Office for five years and had served in law enforcement for 19 years. He had previously served with the Myrtle Point Police Department, North Bend Police Department, Confederated Tribal Police Department, and Reedsport Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OR-57FEAFAD- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Datan gave the Coos County Sheriff's Office 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Coquille community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Datan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Gil C. Datan is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In OR, 66 of 197 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 33.5% of this state's fallen. That is 2.5 percentage points above the national rate of 31%.
At Coos County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gil C. Datan's cause is highlighted.
How Gil C. Datan Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Gil C. Datan is highlighted in Apr.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Coos County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
