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Incident
Officer Earl Perkins succumbed to injuries sustained one week earlier when he was involved in a motorcycle accident on the Pudding River Bridge in Marion County, Oregon. He was attempting to pass a garbage truck when the sidecar on his motorcycle struck the hub of the truck, causing him to be thrown underneath the truck. Officer Perkins had served with the Oregon State Traffic Division for nine months and had previously served with the Tillamook Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, father, and brother.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Perkins served with the Oregon State Traffic Division.
Thank you for your service to the Salem community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Perkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Earl is the only officer of Oregon State Traffic Division remembered here.
Earl is one of 66 officers lost to accidents in OR, 33.5% of the 197 remembered there.
Earl is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Earl is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1922, 2 officers in OR were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 45 years on record. The heaviest was 1961, with 3.
In 1922, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1922, 101 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Earl was 34. Of the 59 lost to accidents in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 44.5; the middle age was 36. Earl had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Earl was 34. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Earl had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Earl was 34. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Earl had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 15.2% of these deaths in OR; May holds the most, 16.7%. Mondays: 9.1%.
November holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Oregon State Traffic Division.
Accident deaths account for 33.5% of all 197 deaths in OR, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Oregon State Traffic Division are honored on badge.nw.