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.
