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Incident
Sheriff Jack Williams and Deputy James Lamer were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect. The man opened fire on the officers. Sheriff Williams and Deputy Lamer were shot and killed. A Seaside constable was also shot and wounded but was able to return fire and killed the suspect. Sheriff Williams was the first sheriff to be killed in Oregon to be killed in the line of duty. He had served with the Clatsop County Sheriff's Office for over two years.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Williams gave the Clatsop County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Astoria community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Clatsop County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Jack is one of 115 officers killed feloniously in OR, 58.4% of the 197 remembered there.
Jack is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jack is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1898, 2 officers in OR were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 75 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 5.
In 1898, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1898, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jack was 45. Of the 97 killed feloniously in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 51; the middle age was 43. Jack had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Jack was 45. 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. Jack had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jack was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jack had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 11.3% of these deaths in OR; November holds the most, 12.2%. Fridays: 19.1%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Clatsop County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58.4% of all 197 deaths in OR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.4% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Clatsop County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Jack among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Clatsop County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
