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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Irving Burkett succumbed to injuries sustained on July 25, 1982, when he was shot during an escape attempt from the Rocky Butte Jail in Portland.
On July 25, 1982, an inmate had a .22 caliber pistol smuggled into the jail. He and five other inmates held Deputy Burkett and another guard hostage while they prepared to escape. When Deputy Burkett broke away and sounded the alarm, the inmate shot Deputy Burkett in the head.
The felon was captured a month later and sentenced to 90 years in prison. He was denied parole in 2013 and died in prison in 2019. The other five inmates were sentenced to an additional 10-50 years.
Deputy Burkett was permanently disabled, with the bullet remaining lodged near his brain stem. He lost his eyesight and was unable to walk on his own. He died from complications of the wound on August 21, 2003.
The Rocky Butte Jail was closed and demolished in 1984.
Deputy Burkett had served with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Burkett gave the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Portland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Burkett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Irving is one of 115 officers killed feloniously in OR, 58.4% of the 197 remembered there.
Irving is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Irving is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2003, 1 officer at Multnomah County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1993, with 2.
In 2003, 1 officer in OR was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 75 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 5.
In 2003, 64 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2003, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Irving was 63. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Multnomah County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 36.8 and 49; the middle age was 41. Irving had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 4.7 years.
Irving was 63. Of the 97 killed feloniously in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 51; the middle age was 43. Irving had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Irving was 63. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Irving had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Irving was 63. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Irving had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 11.1% of these deaths at Multnomah County Sheriff's Office; November holds the most, 33.3%. Thursdays: 33.3%.
August holds 8.7% of these deaths in OR; November holds the most, 12.2%. Thursdays: 13%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 90% of all 10 deaths at Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .22 caliber, in 11.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58.4% of all 197 deaths in OR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .22 caliber, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .22 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .22 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, Irving among them.
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Robert Phillips
Nov 21, 1917
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Frank Walter Twombley
Nov 19, 1918
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Ed Diedrich May 24, 1924
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Walter William Leonhardt
Sep 28, 1931
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Ernest C. Loll
Sep 29, 1935
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Albert William Bowe
Nov 15, 1945
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Mark Alan Whitehead
Feb 26, 1993
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Scott E. Collins
Feb 26, 1993
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Robert Ray Anderson
Dec 1, 1994
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Irving Lawrence Burkett
Aug 21, 2003
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Multnomah County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
