Portland Police Officer Killed in Traffic Accident

Criminalist Adam Cushman was with the bureau's Forensic Evidence Division.

Adam Cushman is survived by his wife, and two children. Photo: Portland Police Bureau

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Portland Police Bureau Criminalist Adam Cushman was killed Feb. 21, 2010 at approximately 6:30 p.m. when the vehicle he was driving hit a truck in the 7300 Block of Northeast 182nd Avenue in Vancouver, Washington.

Detective Mary Wheat with the Portland Police Bureau, says Adam Cushman was hired by the Portland Police Bureau in July, 2000 and was promoted to the rank of Criminalist in March, 2006.

He is survived by his wife, and two children, ages 10 and 13. Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalized.

Portland Police Bureau Criminalists are assigned to the bureau's Forensic Evidence Division and are responsible for processing crime scene evidence.

Criminalist Adam Cushman graduated from the National Forensic Academy at the University of Tennessee in 2008.

Wheat says he was also trained in blood pattern analysis, fingerprint analysis, crime scene reconstruction and recently trained as part of a Homeland Security team that investigates deaths related to major catastrophes.

Prior to being promoted to Criminalist, Adam was a patrol officer at Southeast Precinct.