The Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) is reeling from a shooting incident that occurred on July 26, 2023, leaving Civil Deputy Charles Dozé, a 10-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, with several life-threatening gunshot wounds. Deputy Dozé is currently receiving medical care at a Portland area hospital, where he remains in serious, but stable condition.
As the investigation into the shooting unfolds, the Washington County Major Crimes Team and the Washington County District Attorney’s Office are leading the efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following standard protocol, several members of the WCSO involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave. These individuals include Civil Deputy Samantha Burkhead, who has served the Sheriff’s Office for nine years; Deputy Chris Schroeder, with 15 years of service; and Deputy Cory Hoffman, a member for 27 years.
Civil Deputies provide numerous services to the public, ranging from enforcing court orders and legal paperwork to managing the execution process for real and personal property. Although certification by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is not required for civil deputies, they undergo rigorous training and serve as fully trained and sworn deputies, donning uniforms, badges, and driving the same WCSO vehicles as regular patrol deputies.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Civil Unit operates with five civil deputies and one patrol deputy assigned to the unit.
To address the numerous inquiries from community members and the public on how to support Deputy Dozé and his family, the Washington County Police Officer Association (WCPOA) has established an official GoFundMe donation account for Deputy Dozé. For those willing to contribute, the GoFundMe link is provided below:
GoFundMe Link: https://gofund.me/68545617
Also, starting August 1, additional donations can be made through any US Bank location. Simply provide the customer service with Deputy Dozé’s name and specify that you are donating to his charity account.
WCSO remarked they are deeply grateful for the compassion and generosity demonstrated by the community and partner agencies, as they stand together in solidarity with Deputy Charles Dozé.
Source: WCSO
