April 10, 2021 11:00 a.m.

A retired Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy has died from duty-related wounds suffered in 1980, according to Sheriff John Hanlin.

Sergeant Brad O’Dell said that Allen Burdic started in law enforcement with the Canyonville Police Department in October of 1976. He served until July of 1979 when he accepted a deputy position with DCSO.

O’Dell said on August 12th, 1980, Deputy Burdic responded to a reported shooting at the Nutshell Tavern in Myrtle Creek. Sometime in the early morning hours of the next day, Deputy Burdic located the suspect at a gravel turnout north of the Myrtle Creek Bridge near Interstate Five. The suspect opened fire on Deputy Burdic, striking him twice. The suspect than stole the deputy’s patrol car. As the suspect took off, the vehicle ran over Deputy Burdic’s legs.

O’Dell said Deputy Burdic sustained serious injuries from the gunshot wounds, which prevented his return to his position as a deputy. He medically retired from the Sheriff’s Office in 1982.

Burdic briefly returned to the Canyonville Police Department as a police officer from July of 1984 to November of 1985.

Burdic passed away at his home on March 11th from complications of the injuries he sustained in the line of duty while working for DCSO.

Sheriff Hanlin said, “Deputy Burdic’s sacrifice while in service to the citizens of Douglas County, no matter the span of time between the shooting and his death, cannot go unmentioned. We will honor him, his family, and his memory and never forget what happened to this deputy on August 13th, 1980”.

Burdic’s memorial service is scheduled for Saturday April 17th at 2:00 p.m. at Tri-City Baptist Church. Deputy Burdic will be afforded law enforcement honors at the service.

Go to www.oregonfallenbridge.com to support the Burdic family through the Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation.