Portland police chief involved

The Harney County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation of an accidental shooting on April 21, 2016, after receiving a 911 call that a 54-year-old male was shot.

Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward was initially briefed on April 22 of the shooting incident and was told it was a self-inflicted accidental shooting. Further information was gathered which contradicted this, and Sheriff Ward was notified on May 16 that Portland Police Bureau Chief Larry O’Dea was involved in the incident. Sheriff Ward requested assistance from the Oregon State Police on the same date he was notified of Chief O’Dea’s involvement.

As the case remains under investigation by the Oregon State Police and the Oregon Department of Justice, no further information can be provided at this time. All questions are being referred to Kristina Edmundson with the Department of Justice at: kristina.edmundson@doj.state.or.us