Eugene Police Officer Chris Kilcullen was shot and killed Friday afternoon during a routine traffic stop on Interstate 105.
After the suspect’s car, heading eastbound, attempted to elude the 12-year EPD veteran and lifelong Eugene resident, spawning a brief pursuit, Kilcullen was shot at the intersection of I-105 and 52nd Street in Springfield. Springfield Police resumed the pursuit near Main Street, and multiple law enforcement agencies responded. The chase ended near the city of Westfir along a U.S. Forest Service road, and the suspect — 56-year-old Springfield resident Cheryl D. Kidd — was taken into custody after a standoff. The Springfield Police Department is currently handling the investigation, and Kidd is charged with aggravated murder.
The 43-year-old fallen officer is survived by his wife, Kristie, daughter Katie and stepdaughter Sidney.
Kilcullen’s superiors and fellow officers joined community members and other loved ones Saturday afternoon for a news conference addressing the incident in the outdoor courtyard of Eugene City Hall.
EPD Chief Pete Kerns attended the conference and spoke to Kilcullen’s distinguished career, throughout which he received more than 85 commendations.
“Those commendations repeatedly cited Chris’ exemplary professional demeanor and positive interactions with the public he served, even in the most stressful circumstances,” Kerns said. “He had amazing skills in conflict resolution.”
Kilcullen was a long-time member of EPD’s Crisis Negotiation Team, working with SWAT members to mediate situations involving barricaded and suicidal subjects.
“He was one of the most remarkably talented members of that team that we have ever seen,” Kerns said. “He saved many lives from suicide and other disasters.”
EPD Lt. Doug Mozan also attended the conference and touched on his time spent working with Kilcullen on the SWAT team and on patrol.
“He was one of our foremost negotiators,” Mozan said. “I (have) seen him arrest bad guys, truly bad guys, who treated him like dirt, and I saw him respond to them by treating them like a true gentleman. He treated people who didn’t value him as a human, and he treated them like he would one of his own family. I am honored to have served with him.”
Officer Jim McBride — also present — fought back tears as he reminisced about Kilcullen’s competency as a motorcycle traffic enforcement officer for seven years.
“If you were going to rank EPD officers from the nicest guys down, Mr. Kilcullen was number one,” McBride said. “He was number one. They got our best.”
Kilcullen is a University alumnus, holding degrees in sociology and psychology.
An EPD memorial service with full honors will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Matthew Knight Arena.
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