Lincoln City Police Office Shot, Critically Injured (UPDATE)

Search for suspect is underway in Waldport, call (541) 265-4231 with information.

(LINCOLN CITY, Ore.) - UPDATE: The officer is identified as 45-year old Steven B. Dodds, a six year veteran with Lincoln City Police Department. Officer Dodds was recognized last year by his fellow officers as the department's "Officer of the Year".

He remains in critical condition at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland after undergoing emergency surgery upon arrival. He is not married and is the father of an 18-year old daughter.

Officer Steven Dobbs

While the suspect was attempting to elude Newport officders he fired multiple shots at the officers, striking two patrol vehicles. No officers were injured. A private citizen's vehicle was also struck by gunfire, but the female driver was not injured.

Officer Dodds did not fire any shots during the stop, and he was able to call his dispatch to tell them he had been shot.

A Lincoln City police officer is in critical condition after he was shot Sunday night during a traffic stop on Highway 101 on the south end of Lincoln City.

According to Lincoln City Police Chief Steven Bechard, on January 23, 2011 at approximately 11:00 p.m. the 45-year old police officer stopped a 1984 Dodge sport utility vehicle with a male driver for a speeding violation. During contact with the unidentified white male adult driver the officer was shot more than one time. The suspect fled in the vehicle south.

The search for the suspect who shot and critically injured a Lincoln City police officer Sunday night has not been positively identified and the multi-agency search is continuing in the Waldport area. Investigators are seeking information to locate and interview the registered owner of the vehicle that was being operated by the suspect and later abandoned near Waldport.

The vehicle's registered owner is identified as 43-year old David Anthony Durham, an Oregon resident described as a white male, 6'3", 185 pounds. The provided DMV photograph was taken in 2007.

A multi-agency search is currently underway for the suspect just north of Waldport after he fled a vehicle on foot west of Highway 101.

Investigators have made contact with all known locations where Mr. Durham may be but have not located him. Investigators are releasing his name and photograph to help obtain information that will confirm he is safe and to be able to interview him to learn if he has information to help identify and locate the suspect in this investigation.

Anyone with information regarding Mr. Durham's location is asked to call the Lincoln County 9-1-1 Non-Emergency phone number at (541) 265-4231.

Officials had the highway closed since about 11:30 p.m. between NW Sandpiper Drive and the Waldport bridge.

At 8:33 a.m. Highway 101 was opened in both directions between the Waldport bridge and NW Sandpiper Drive, but Incident command advises there will be restrictede access to side streets while the search continues for the armed and dangerous suspect.

Local residents and travelers through the Waldport area are cautioned to not pick up any hitchhikers or unknown persons seeking a ride in the area.

The officer was initially transported to North Lincoln Samaritan Hospital and then transferred by LifeFlight to Legacy Emanuel Hospital where he is currently in critical condition. His name is being withheld at this time. Next of kin have been notified and are at the hospital with fellow officers and friends.

After the shooting, Newport police spotted the suspect vehicle and it attempted to elude officers southbound on Highway 101. While fleeing officers, the suspect fired several shots but no officers were injured.

At approximately 11:32 p.m. Lincoln County Sheriff's Office deployed spike strips near milepost 153 after which the suspect stopped the vehicle and was seen fleeing on foot west from the highway into a wooded area. A reverse 9-1-1 call was made to area residents advising of the search.

Officers from Oregon State Police (OSP), Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, Benton County Sheriff's Office, Newport Police Department, and Toledo Police Department are searching in the area. The OSP SWAT team has responded to assist. ODOT, Waldport Fire Department, and Lincoln City Fire Department are assisting with road closures.

Oregon State Police (OSP) Criminal Investigations Division is the lead investigating agency of the incidents after the officer's shooting.

Anyone seeing anything suspicious or suspicious persons in the Waldport area is asked to immediately call 9-1-1, or (541) 265-4231.