| SEN. LEE BEYER SEN. CHRIS EDWARDS SEN. FLOYD PROZANSKI Oregon State Legislature State Capitol Salem, OR |
|
News Release
May 26, 2011
CONTACT: Molly Woon (503) 986-1074
“Officer Chris Kilcullen Memorial Highway” approved with Senate bill
SALEM – The Oregon Senate unanimously approved a bill this morning that will honor a fallen Eugene police office by naming a stretch of highway frequently traveled by the officer after him. Lane County Senators Lee Beyer, Chris Edwards, and Floyd Prozanski worked quickly to introduce Senate Bill 987 on behalf of community members and local law enforcement to honor Officer Chris Kilcullen, who was killed in the line of duty on April 22, 2011.
“Chris’ murder is a true tragedy. A thirteen-year veteran of the Eugene Police Department, his death is a significant loss for all who knew him and the community he served,” said Senator Prozanski (D- South Lane and North Douglas Counties), who carried the bill on the floor.
SB 987 designates parts of State Highway 126, beginning where the highway intersects with West 6th Avenue and West 7th Avenue in Eugene and ending where the highway interests with Main Street in Springfield, as the “Officer Chris Kilcullen Memorial Highway.” This section of Highway 126 was a part of Officer Kilcullen’s daily beat, the route he took to get home, and includes the stretch of road where he was shot while on patrol in late April.
“During Officer Kilcullen’s time with the Eugene Police Department, he received over 85 commendations for his positive interactions with the public and for his professionalism in even the most stressful situations,” said Beyer (D-Springfield). “Office Kilcullen gave the ultimate sacrifice in his work to provide the best public safety possible.”
Officer Kilcullen was intimately involved with the creation of the Eugene Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team and served on the Crisis Negotiation Team. He is survived by his wife and two children.
“This is small gesture to honor Officer Kilcullen’s memory and to show our deep, heart-felt respect to his family,” said Edwards (D-Eugene). “His death is an important reminder of the risk that our police officers take to protect us all.”
SB 987 will now go to the House for consideration.
###