Enough is Enough: Police in Lincoln County's Deadly Pattern of Force Needs Accountability
Three Deaths, One Pattern of Escalation
LINCOLN COUNTY, OREGON - In the past three months, three people have died at the hands of police in Lincoln County - a disturbing statistic that underscores a serious, recurring problem with how law enforcement in this country operates. In each case, the lives of community members were ended by a force sworn to protect, yet our officials continue to respond with little more than silence and standard assurances of “ongoing investigations.” These deaths demand a critical examination of Lincoln County’s use of force. We owe it to the community left in mourning, and we owe it to every resident who now fears that calling for help could turn deadly.
The most recent case involved Virginia Morris, a queer, disabled veteran who was shot and killed by a deputy in Waldport on Veterans’s Day. Virginia’s social media posts indicated she was in distress- she had even posted that she feared dying at the hands of Lincoln County deputies. Yet, instead of sending a crisis response team tread to de-escalate, Lincoln County sent armed officers, who shot her within seconds. Virginia’s case was not unique.
Prior to Virginia’s death, Police officers shot and killed a man at a motel in Lincoln City at the Motel 6 on Highway 101. Officers identified the man allegedly involved in a domestic disturbance and found he had outstanding arrest warrants, according to the Lincoln City Police Dept. The officers said when they made contact with the man, he was carrying two guns in his waistband, they said the man reached for his guns, and officer’s shot him. The man was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Lincoln County Police have not released the man’s name or further details about the initial disturbance. The Lincoln County Major Crime Team is investigating the shooting.
A third event in the past three months is the shooting and killing of a man who was contacted by Lincoln City police about a parking violation. The man began shooting at officers upon their arrival, he left the scene and officers called in Oregon State Police for assistance. OSP dispatched a SWAT K-9 unit and found the man inside a home on Northwest Jetty Ave. The Oregon State Police say they had a search warrant to access the residence, where the suspect allegedly lived with multiple people. In the Oregon State Police press release, the OSP say their negotiators tried multiple times to communicate with the man but he made verbal threats in response. At 2:45am police say a fire broke out in the house “for unknown reasons.” The individual climbed onto the roof carrying a rifle. Four members of the OSP SWAT team shot him, he fell from the roof and died at the scene. The police have not released the individual’s name. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident with other agencies, including the LCPD, NPD and OSP.
When police encounter individuals in crisis, de-escalation should be the default approach, not lethal force. In countries like Norway, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, where policing emphasizes de-escalation and unarmed engagement, the contrast to American tactics is striking. Officers are trained extensively in communication skills, mental health awareness, and nonviolent interventions, often relying on community trust rather than weaponry to resolve tense situations. In Norway, for example, police recruits undergo three years of training before entering the field, with a strong focus on psychology and empathy. The result is a force that prioritizes preserving life rather than dominating situations through force. Police in these countries are seldom armed, and when they are, lethal weapons are seen as a last resort—something deployed in cases of extreme necessity, not routine encounters. Even in highly charged confrontations, these forces are expected to prioritize containment, communicate openly, and, most importantly, defuse rather than escalate. This approach fosters public trust and minimizes violence, standing as a humane alternative to the American model, where a reliance on armed response often exacerbates the very tensions officers are tasked to quell.
The reality is that sending armed officers without proper mental health support is a recipe for exactly what we’ve seen: tragedy after tragedy. This reflects not only a lack of empathy, but also a troubling disregard for public safety. It sends the message that the police are there to control, not to protect. How many times have we heard the killings were, “by the book?”
After each killing, the same toned statements were issued: They are investigating. Officers are on paid administrative leave. The incidents are under review. This bureaucratic routine gives the illusion of accountability, but it never yields real change. No reforms have been made to address the systemic issues that led to these deaths in the first place. Community members are left wondering if their cries for help will lead to life saving support or armed confrontation. This is not the foundation for a growing, strong community.
Paid administrative leave is a slap in the face to grieving communities. For far too long, Lincoln County residents have endured a law enforcement culture that threats vulnerable individuals as threats rather than people in need of help.
The three deaths in Lincoln County over the past three months are a tragic reminder that a culture of escalation is lethal. It’s time to end this pattern of violence. Change won’t bring back the lives that have been taken, but it can prevent more families from facing the same grief and loss. Enough is enough.
Here’s how we can act:
1. Demand Transparency: Call on leaders to release footage, reports, and evidence surrounding each case.
2. Push for Reforms: Join with local advocacy groups to press for mandatory de-escalation and mental health response training for all officers. We need a clear shift toward non-lethal solutions.
3. Support Families Affected: Help those directly impacted by this violence by donating to local funds or attending community vigils. The voices of these families must be heard and amplified.
4. Speak Out: Spread awareness on social media. Head to the streets.
We keep us safe.