Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Sergeant Ralph Stahl was shot and killed by a fellow officer who mistook him for an auto thief. Sergeant Stahl had located a stolen automobile and was driving it to the station when a second officer saw the vehicle and called out to him to stop near the intersection of Yamhill Avenue and Park Avenue. Sergeant Stahl did not hear the command and the other officer drew his gun. Sergeant Stahl was transported to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the head and died several hours later. Sergeant Stahl had served with the Portland Police Bureau for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OR-B8AD4890- 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.
Detective Sergeant Stahl gave the Portland Police Bureau 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Portland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Stahl.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Sergeant Ralph H. Stahl 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ralph H. Stahl's cause is highlighted.
How Ralph H. Stahl Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ralph H. Stahl is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ralph H. Stahl was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
30 officers from Portland Police Bureau are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
