Talking Beat - from the Portland Police Bureau

The Gresham Police Department, in cooperation with Crime Stoppers, is asking for your help in solving a violent robbery that occurred in Northwest Gresham. ;At approximately 8:17 p.m. on Friday July 23, 2010, a suspect brandishing a black semi-automatic handgun walked into Space Age Fuel, located at Northeast 162nd and Glisan, and demanded money from the clerk.

On Wednesday, August 25, 2010, Portland Police Bureau Officers donated their time to take children shopping for back-to-school clothes at the Johnson Creek Fred Meyer, on Southeast 82nd Avenue. Each year more than 50 officers assist approximately 150 kids obtain the clothing and school supplies needed to begin the school year.This year's Shop with a Cop is being sponsored by the Sunshine Division and its Izzy's Kids School Clothing Program, which provides year-round clothing and shoes for area children.

A short video featuring the many different people who wear our badge. A video by Mark Rose and Ofc. Josh Goldschmidt.

The Sunshine Division is hosting a food drive throughout the Portland area in August. ; The Sunshine Division desperately needs: canned tomatoes, canned fruit, cereal, canned dinners and pasta.

Portland Police Detectives from North Precinct have arrested 37-year-old Michael Pavlicek and charged him with multiple counts of theft in connection with at least 100 thefts from storage units and car prowls in the Portland area. ;Pavlicek was arrested by Portland State University Public Safety Officers on July 3, 2010 for a stolen vehicle that he possessed on campus.

http://www.portlandonline.com/parks

On Thursday, June 10, 2010, investigators from the Portland Police Bureau's Drugs and Vice Division served multiple search warrants on residences and vehicles and seized ten pounds of heroin and $65,000 in cash. ; This investigation began approximately two months ago after investigators began following up on information they received about a sophisticated heroin sales operation.

A video of recent community events that was played at the June 2010 awards ceremony.

On Friday, June 11, 2010, 67-year-old James Samuel Owens was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of 42-year old Nancy Eileen Converse. Ms. Converse was murdered sometime between January 31, and February 2, 1987. Her body was found in her apartment located at 5700 N. Kerby, Apt #317, on February 2, 1987. The Police Bureau's Cold Case Unit began investigating the case in 2006. DNA from the case was sent to the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory and came back with a link to James Owens, who was already in prison on a 1989 rape charge. This case was a collaborative effort between the Cold Case Unit, the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office and the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory.

On Thursday, June 10, 2010, at 2:30 p.m., at the David Douglas Performing Arts Center, located at 1400 Southeast 130th Avenue, Chief Michael Reese hosted the Police Bureau's semi-annual award ceremony. ; This ceremony honored citizens and members of the Portland Police Bureau and partnering agencies, including: one officer receiving the Police Star; 3 citizens receiving the Citizen Medal of Heroism, one civilian receiving the Police Medal; and 7 officers and 1 citizen receiving the Life Saving Medal.

Police Chief Michael Reese and Mayor Sam Adams held a news conference today, June 1, 2010 at 1 p.m. on the 14th floor of the Justice Center regarding the officer-involved shooting that occurred on May 12, 2010. ;

On March 22, 2010, at approximately 3:13 p.m., three males robbed a man of his cell phone and then assaulted him on the MAX Yellow Line southbound between N. Mississippi Ave. and the Rose Quarter. One of the suspects made a statement about having a gun. The same suspect demanded the victim’s property, and then assaulted him along with one of the other suspects.

On Friday, May 14, 2010, Chief Mike Reese set aside time for questions regarding his recent promotion and to provide information to the media about himself and his expectations as Chief.

On Wednesday, May 12, 2010, at 6:21 p.m., Portland Police Officers James Defrain and Ryan Foote, both 6-year veterans and currently assigned to the Hotspot Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), attempted to stop a vehicle for traffic infractions in the area of N.E. Grand and Holladay. The Officers activated their overhead lights, but the vehicle continued without stopping. The officers used their lights, siren and airhorn in an attempt to stop the vehicle, but the driver did not pull over. Eventually, the driver pulled the vehicle over to the curb on N.E. 6th Avenue, near Halsey. As the officers approached the vehicle, the subject shouted profanities at the officers and was not complying with directions. Additional officers arrived and witnessed the subject reaching over toward the passenger area of the vehicle. A taser was deployed, but did not stop the subject's movements. Another taser was deployed, and again, did not have any effect on the subject's movements. At some point, the subject pulled out a gun, shots were fired, and Officer Christopher Burley, a 5-year veteran assigned to HEAT, fell to the ground. HEAT Officers Cody Berne, a 5-year veteran, Andrew Polas, a 6-year veteran and Jim Defrain returned fire at the subject. Other Officers grabbed Officer Burley, took him to safety, and transported him to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in a police car. Emergency Medical Service was also dispatched to the scene to assist the subject. Officers attempted to determine if the suspect was still a threat. A less lethal beanbag impact weapon was deployed. Officers immediately formed a team and approached the subject. They removed him from the vehicle and the subject began receiving medical assistance, but was pronounced dead at the scene. Officer Christopher Burley was shot once in both legs and is expected to make a full recovery.

May 10, 2010