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Incident
Corporal Byassee died as a result of a leg injury sustained almost two months earlier during a training class in San Luis Obispo, California. After returning to Oregon from the training class he developed blood clots in his leg due to the injury. The blood clots travelled to his lungs causing severe health problems. He was taken to a specialty doctor in Seattle, Washington, but died before completing treatment. Corporal Byassee had been with the agency for six years and had previously served with the Union Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, parents, siblings and grandmother.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Corporal Byassee gave the La Grande Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the La Grande community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Byassee.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Gary is the only officer of La Grande Police Department remembered here.
Gary is one of 66 officers lost to accidents in OR, 33.5% of the 197 remembered there.
Gary is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gary is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1982, 2 officers in OR were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 45 years on record. The heaviest was 1961, with 3.
In 1982, 70 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1982, 87 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Gary was 30. Of the 59 lost to accidents in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 44.5; the middle age was 36. Gary had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Gary was 30. 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. Gary had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gary was 30. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Gary had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 16.7% of these deaths in OR, more than any other month. Sundays: 10.6%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at La Grande Police Department.
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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W
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