WASHINGTON COUNTY, Oregon — The Washington County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) is mourning the loss of an off-duty deputy who was killed in a traffic crash on Wednesday.
Deputy Richard “Rich” Thompson was riding a scooter home from work just after 5 p.m. when he was "involved in a crash with a vehicle" at the intersection of Southwest 201st Avenue and West Baseline Road, the agency said.
Despite lifesaving efforts by community members, emergency medical services and deputies, Thompson died of his injuries shortly after the crash.
Thompson joined the WCSO in October 2001 and was certified as a corrections deputy. He worked as a field training officer and an adult-in-custody coordinator, as well as assisted in the Work in Lieu of Jail program, according to the agency. He'd also been assigned to the court security unit since 2023 and was awarded the Meritorious Service Ribbon in 2018.
Thompson leaves behind a wife and two children, WCSO said. In addition to spending time with his family, Thompson was an outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, kayaking and paddleboarding. He also taught archery to kids.
The Washington County Interagency Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team (CART) is investigating the crash, led by the Forest Grove Police Department.
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