On October 29, 2020 at approximately 9:50 a.m., a Salem Police patrol officer was conducting a traffic investigation when the involved vehicle crashed at 17th and Court STS NE. The driver fled from the vehicle on foot. The officer, on foot, pursued the driver into a resident backyard on Court ST NE.

Shortly after confronting the driver in the backyard, shots were fired. The officer was struck in the ankle. The suspect was also struck by gunfire and pronounced deceased at the scene. The officer was treated by medical staff and released.

As per Salem Police policy, the involved officer has been placed on administrative leave. In accordance with Senate Bill 111, the Salem Police Department has requested the Oregon State Police be the lead investigative agency for the incident.

The officer involved in the shooting incident is Officer Andrew Parsons. Officer Parsons has been with the Salem Police Department since February 2020 after serving as a deputy with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. He received his officer certification in 2016 from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards & Training.

The name of the deceased is being released as Rodolfo "Rudy" Martinez-Cortez (30) of Salem.

This is an ongoing investigation and any further details will be released by the Oregon State Police.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-11-01 14:03:57

Last Update: 2020-11-01 14:30:17