On Monday, February 7th, 2022, at approximately 12:37 AM, Salem Police officer Griffin McDowell attempted a traffic stop on a gold 1995 Mercedes in NE Salem. Instead of pulling over, the driver of the Mercedes fled from the officer in the vehicle.
The suspect ultimately drove to Northgate Park, in the 3200 block of Northgate Ave NE, entered the northeast parking lot and then drove into a gully west of the parking lot and then onto the northern field of the park. Additional Salem officers responded, and they stopped the Mercedes in the field. A confrontation ensued and preliminary investigatory information shows that three Salem officers fired their department-issued firearms.
Officers provided immediate first aid to the driver until relieved by emergency medical personnel. He was transported to Salem Hospital where he later died.
The decedent has been identified as Richard Allan Meyers, 4/14/1981. His immediate next of kin has been notified. The Marion County District Attorney’s Office has identified a case coordinator to answer the family’s questions and provide them with updated information as appropriate and available.
Furthermore, a Pitbull dog was inside the vehicle and was injured during the incident. The dog was transported to a veterinary clinic where it underwent medical treatment. However, the family of decedent has made the determination to put the dog down.
Standard next steps in this type of investigation include: the Oregon State Medical Examiner to determine cause and manner of death, additional witness (if any) interviews, evidence being analyzed and tested, and a Marion County Grand Jury review of the incident.
No further information will be released prior to the Grand Jury’s consideration to protect their objective review of the incident. Any future media release will be provided by the Marion County District Attorney’s Office. Due to the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys, which limits the type of information lawyers can release prior to anticipated judicial proceedings, additional information will only be released as appropriate after the conclusion of the Grand Jury proceeding.
