May 14, 2026 4;00 a.m. 

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating every May 15th as Peace Officer Memorial Day and the week in which is falls, National Police Week. Across the United States, ceremonies are being held to remember those serving in law enforcement who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to their communities.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will host a local Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony on Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. on the front lawn of the courthouse. The event will pay tribute to the six Douglas County law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

• Officer Donald DeSues – Roseburg Police Department – EOW August 7, 1959
• Special Deputy Ronald H. Terwilliger – Douglas County Sheriff’s Office – EOW July 23, 1985
• Corporal Virgle D. Knight Jr. – Douglas County Sheriff’s Office – EOW July 23, 1985
• Sergeant Gerald G. Chirrick – Douglas County Sheriff’s Office – EOW July 23, 1985
• Deputy Morris L. Taylor – Douglas County Sheriff’s Office – EOW September 14, 2002
• Deputy S. Allen Burdic – Douglas County Sheriff’s Office – EOW March 11, 2021

The tribute will include a proclamation reading by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, a police honor guard, wreath laying ceremony, bagpipes, a 21-gun salute and a county-wide radio broadcast.