Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Raymond Garcia was shot and killed while making a traffic stop at 7:50 pm while returning to the police station at the end of his shift. When the vehicle stopped the 80-year-old driver exited the car and opened fire with a .22 caliber pistol. Although mortally wounded, Chief Garcia exited his patrol car and returned fire, killing the man. Chief Garcia was succumbed to his wounds while being transported to the hospital, which was over one hour away. The Vernonia Police Department was a three-person agency at the time of Chief Garcia's murder. Chief Garcia was a Vietnam War veteran and had served with the agency for only three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 5-week-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OR-A6D48504- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Raymond. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Chief of Police Garcia gave the Vernonia Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Vernonia community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Raymond Garcia served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Chief of Police Raymond Garcia 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Raymond Garcia's cause is highlighted.
How Raymond Garcia Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Raymond Garcia is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Raymond Garcia was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.