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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 25, 2011)
8 community january25 2011 Chief Ralph Painter Honored at Memorial Service continued from front page Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden were among the dignitaries in attendance. Painter was killed in the line of duty on January 5, 2011, during an altercation with suspect Daniel Butts, 21, of Kalama, Washington. Butts was injured during a shootout with police and remains in custody at Columbia County Jail on charges of aggravated murder. Authorities state that Painter was killed by a single gunshot to the head from his own service weapon. Rainier, a small community with a population of 1700 and a police force of just five officers, along with the rest of rural Columbia County, was shocked and saddened by this tragedy. The last death of a police officer in the line of duty in Columbia County was in 1971, when Vernonia Police Chief Raymond Garcia was shot during a traffic stop. Painter was remembered during the ceremony by colleagues and family as a husband, a father, a civil servant, a hero, and above all else, as a friend. Ralph Painter was born on July 17, 1955, in Sacramento, California, earned an Associates Degree from Clackamas County Community College. Painter began what had been a life- long desire to work in law enforcement by joining the St. Helens Police Reserves in 1983. He then joined the police department in the City of Rainier in 1988 as a patrol officer. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1999, and then to Chief in 2006. He also served on the Rainier City Council. He was known as a skilled carpenter, played drums in a rock band, and loved sports, camping and the outdoors. He was the father of five grown children: Julie, Angie, Jeremy (a police officer in St. Helens), Jennifer and Ryan. He was the husband to his second wife, Amy, described as the love of his life, and father to a seven-year-old son, Riley. He is also survived by his mother, Cathy Painter, twelve grandchildren and three siblings. The changing of the Honor Guard during the Memorial Service for Rainier Police Chief Ralph Painter. Photo by Randy Sanders, flickr.com/ photos/sandersphotoart/ Little was said during the compassionate, genuine and caring man ceremony about how Painter was killed, who treated everyone with respect and although Columbia County Sheriff Jeff left an impression on all he met. Dickerson’s remarks included some The final Ceremonial Honors strong reminders. “In included a Bell Salute, Flag Presentations the first week of this new by Mayor Cole to widow Amy and year Chief Painter was the mother Cathy, the playing of Taps, third police officer in our “Amazing Grace” performed by the nation to die in the line Highland Guard, the closing prayer, and of duty. Since that time, the recessional including Chief Painter’s a fourth officer has ended casket. his watch. Last year, that Before those final ceremonies, number was 162-- more a tearful Lt. Terry Moss had some final than three per week. remarks. “Like you, I’ve struggled, and And why? Because it is tried to find a reason, tried to understand. the risk we take in a free But I can’t. So I look to Ralph and I society where law officers wonder what he would make of all this. are intentionally limited I know he would look at these darkened in their ability to respond days and he would see some bright light. to threats. In America, I know he would say to hold your head we put noble men and up and continue to serve.” women on that thin blue As part of the closing Ceremonial Police vehicles from all over the region took part in a processional prior to the Memorial Service line between lawlessness Honors, the following message was at the University of Portland and filled the neighborhood surrounding the campus. and our freedoms and we played over the intercom from the authorize them to defend Columbia County 9-1-1 Emergency Painter was recognized during and moved with his family to St. Helens us... but they cannot defend themselves Dispatch, known as C-COM: “C-COM in the 1960’s. He graduated from the ceremony as someone who always St. Helens High School in 1974 and had a kind word and was willing to with force without a reasonable belief to #900-- status check? C-COM-- help. He was also a noted jokester and that that force is absolutely necessary. negative contact with #900. C-COM prankster with a great sense of humor. It puts us in danger because action is to all units-- taking Chief Ralph Painter out of service as #900 for the last time. Lt. Moss noted the time he believes it always faster than reaction.” Painter’s nephew, Ben Gone but never forgotten.” was Painter who put tabasco sauce in his Musgrove, spoke coffee when he had to step away for a for the family moment from a morning meeting. So it was no surprise when and told a story the musical choice began during the of a woman who him ceremony following Pastor Steve approached Martin’s solemn Remembrance-- during the past week Norman Greenbaum’s 1969 psychedelic and shared a story hit, “Spirit in the Sky” with loud, about her brother distorted guitar riffs and solos, raucous who was arrested drums and a pertinent message-- “When by Chief Painter I die and they lay me to rest, Gonna go to on an outstanding warrant. While the place that’s the best.” Rainier Mayor Jerry Cole spoke transporting the man about his friend and colleague. “It is my to the St. Helens solemn duty to convey the sentiments of jail, Painter asked the people of Rainier on this day when if the man had eaten we remember Ralph Painter as our dinner. His reply Police Chief and my long time friend,” was no, and Painter said Cole. “Much has been said about stopped and bought Ralph’s humor, his musical ability, his the man a meal. love of the outdoors, his dedication to “Upon hearing of his profession-- to those who worked Ralph’s passing, this with him and those he served. I also woman’s brother want to remind everyone here today wept,” recounted about his most important attribute-- M u s g r o v e . went the size of his heart, and how he shared Musgrove on to describe himself with his large family and many, Ceremonial Commander of the An impromptu memorial formed on the steps at the Painter as a many friends.” Multi-Agency Honor Guard, Kevin Tinter Rainier City Hall to honored their fallen Chief.
