Man Sentenced to 40 Months for Assaulting Medford Officer During Traffic Stop

MEDFORD, Ore. (Jan. 23, 2026) — A 25-year-old man was sentenced to more than three years in prison for assaulting a Medford police officer during a traffic stop last month, the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Oscar Flores Jr. pleaded guilty Wednesday to attempted first-degree assault, assaulting a public safety officer and resisting arrest stemming from a Dec. 14, 2025, encounter near Black Hawk Drive and Willow Brook Drive. Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Jeremy Markiewicz sentenced Flores to 40 months in the Oregon Department of Corrections, followed by three years of post-prison supervision.

According to prosecutors, the Medford Police Department officer recognized Flores and his vehicle during the stop, having arrested him two weeks earlier for driving while suspended. Flores’ license had been suspended after he was classified as a habitual offender by the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles, meaning he had three or more driving convictions within five years.

When the officer attempted to arrest Flores again for driving while suspended, Flores ignored commands, exited the vehicle and tried to flee, authorities said. The officer tackled him, and Flores became aggressive, causing the officer’s head to strike the concrete and resulting in a bleeding cut.

Prosecutors said Flores continued fighting and grabbed the officer’s gun with both hands, attempting to pull it from its holster, and then tried to remove the officer’s Taser. He was unable to free either weapon due to retention devices. The struggle lasted several minutes until two bystanders intervened to help subdue Flores until backup officers arrived.

At the time of the incident, Flores was on probation for fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer and delivery of a controlled substance.

Deputy District Attorney Alicia Wilson said during the plea hearing that it was fortunate neither the officer nor Flores suffered more serious injuries. “Fighting law enforcement and resisting arrest not only endangered the officers involved, but also the arrestee and members of the public who had to intervene,” Wilson said.

The district attorney’s office thanked the Medford Police Department and the officer for their professionalism and praised the bystanders for their bravery.