Deputy Richard “Rich” Thompson, of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, died following a crash involving his electric scooter and a vehicle. He had served the department since 2001.Washington County Sheriff’s Office
A Washington County Sheriff’s Office (OR) deputy was fatally struck while commuting home after work on an electric scooter. Deputy Richard “Rich” Thompson served with the department since October 2001.
In a social media post, the sheriff’s department said that just after 5 p.m. Wednesday deputies responded to the collision. Thompson was riding his scooter home from work when he was involved in a crash with a vehicle and succumbed to his injuries soon after.
The Washington County Interagency Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team (CART) responded to the location and is conducting the investigation, led by the Forest Grove Police Department.
Thompson joined the department as a corrections deputy and later during his career worked as a field training officer and served as an adult in custody (AIC) coordinator. He assisted in the Work in Lieu of Jail program and had been assigned to the court security unit since 2023.
“He was an extraordinary deputy, father, spouse, teammate, and friend who lived an extraordinary life,” Washington County Sherriff Capric Massey told FOX12. “We are wrapping our arms around the Thompson family and around each other as we grieve this incredible loss.”
In 2018, he was awarded a Meritorious Service Ribbon.
Thompson was an avid outdoorsman and the department said he used his coaching and mentoring skills while off duty to teach youth archery.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
