Thomas Layton Jeffries

Portland Police Bureau — Portland, OR

Felonious

End of Watch July 21, 1997

Age 35

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

The Vigil Panel 144 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 30

Incident

Officer Thomas Jeffries was shot and killed near the intersection of NE Glisan Street and NE 160th Avenue while attempting to apprehend a man wanted in connection with the shooting of a 7-year-old. As Officer Jeffries was backing up another officer who was stopping the suspect's vehicle, the suspect ran from the car and across some yards. Officer Jeffries pulled into a driveway, exited his vehicle, and immediately came under fire. One round struck his chest just above his vest. He was able to return fire and struck the suspect in the leg. The suspect dropped his weapon and ran into nearby woods where he was later found and arrested by a canine team. Officer Jeffries had served with the Portland Police Bureau for five years. He was survived by his expectant wife, also a member of the Portland Police Bureau. Officer Jeffries' son was born after his death.

Survivors

He was survived by his expectant wife, also a member of the Portland Police Bureau.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OR-80FC5D39
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.
Officer Jeffries gave the Portland Police Bureau 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Portland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Jeffries.

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

Agency

Department Portland Police Bureau

Location Portland, OR

Platform Identity ppb.multnomah.or.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 21, 1997

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Age 35

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Shot and wounded by Patrolman Jeffries

Officer Thomas Layton Jeffries 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 Portland Police Bureau, 12 of 31 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 38.7% of this agency's fallen.

Portland Police Bureau

of 31 officers

38.7% Felonious

OR — Statewide

115

of 197 officers

58.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious