This past Sunday marked the one-year anniversary of when Eugene Police Department officer Chris Kilcullen, 43, was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Highway 126. Kilcullen’s death was the first on-duty death EPD had experienced in decades, said Pete Kerns, chief of police. @@http://www.odmp.org/officer/20827-police-officer-j-christopher-kilcullen@@
“It’s been a trying year,” Kerns said. “But the community has made us feel valued and the support has been relentless and appreciated.” @@http://www.eugene-or.gov/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=273&PageID=3997&cached=true&mode=2&userID=2@@
In order to commemorate Kilcullen, Highway 126 was renamed “Officer Chris Kilcullen Memorial Highway” shortly after his death. Now, one year later, the family, with the help of friends, put a scholarship fund in place to award two students who exemplify the traits of Kilcullen — passion for the community and for public service.
“Kilcullen had a passionate need to make this city better,” said Lindsay Lowen, director of the scholarship fund. “When others sat back and expected change, Kilcullen was that change.” @@http://kezi.com/news/local/244859@@
Kilcullen’s parents, wife and two children were in attendance to award the scholarships to the recipients.
“Please don’t feel like you have to fill the shoes of a local hero,” said Kristie Kilcullen, widow of Officer Kilcullen. “Make your own path.”
Lowen and the Kilcullen family announced that University senior Anne Mansfield and Kristen DeHaven, a junior at Northwest Christian University, would be the first two scholarship award winners. The application process has been ongoing since March 2011 and included 75 other applicants. DeHaven was awarded a $2,500 scholarship. @@http://www.registerguard.com/web/newslocalnews/27951250-57/kilcullen-scholarship-eugene-scholarships-memorial.html.csp@@
“This is one of the best things that has come of this past year and these past few months,” Lowen said.
Mansfield, an anthropology major from Springfield, plans to use the $5,000 she was given next year to help pay for the UOTeach program, a one-year graduate licensure program.
“It’s amazing. It’s exciting. It’s humbling — I’m so grateful to have been one of the chosen recipients for the scholarship,” Mansfield said. “I can’t imagine being more excited about being recognized for what I’ve done for the community.”
Mansfield hopes to finish the UOTeach program in one year and start working in high-risk areas.
“With this scholarship, I hope to inspire the youth to volunteer more,” Mansfield said. “I think that’s what this scholarship is all about.”
The scholarship will be awarded annually for varying amounts, depending on the person and his or her ambitions.
The private ceremony was also to thank the people and businesses that made the scholarship possible. Among the list was Ducks’ head football coach Chip Kelly, who made an appearance at the end. The football team supported the scholarship fund with its O Heroes event “Bowling with the Ducks,” an annual charity bowling tournament at Emerald Lanes. @@http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/story/Oregon-Ducks-go-bowling-again-for-Ofc-Chris/qhzjlx8ilk2ac169RLxoRA.cspx@@
Kilcullen will be added to the Oregon Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on May 8. The next memorial will be on June 29, where members of the community will participate in the second-annual Chris Kilcullen Memorial Ride.