Discover how a morning welfare check in Gresham escalated into a massive outer East Portland law enforcement response that tragically claimed the life of a beloved police dog …
Gresham Police Department officers and detectives who are called out on a “Welfare Check” – not far from the Gresham/Portland city border – find a deceased victim in a boarded-up house.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
A tragic sequence of events began early on Thursday morning, September 24, 2026, shortly after 7:00 a.m., when Gresham Police Department (GPD) officers responded to a welfare check at a residence on S. E. Market Street near S. E. 179th Avenue. Upon arrival, officers discovered an occupant who was deceased inside the home under suspicious circumstances.
GPD detectives determined that the victim, later identified as 60-year-old Jeff Thompson, died as a result of homicidal violence and quickly identified a primary suspect.
In outer East Portland’s Gateway District along S. E. Stark Street, a gaggle of news reporters gather to report on a substantial police action taking place in the Hazelwood Neighborhood.
Tracking the suspect into outer East Portland
Late that morning, investigators tracked the homicide suspect roughly five miles west into outer East Portland, locating the individual in the area of S. E. Pine Street and S. E. 99th Avenue – likely near the Montavilla Motel at 320 S. E. 99th Avenue.
Some news outlets suggested that the lodging described by officials was the Chestnut Tree Inn bordering S. E. Stark Street run by the “Our Just Future” organization – however – but it closed June 30, 2026 due to Multnomah County budget cuts.
To execute an arrest, GPD investigators requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, operating on behalf of the East County Major Crimes Team.
Many of the 50 PPB staff called to the scene appear to be those with the department’s K-9 Unit.
Emergency dispatch logs reflect massive police presence
East Portland News first monitored the unfolding situation through emergency dispatch data at 2:02 p.m., noting an incident logged along the 9600 Block of S. E. Stark Street under an unusual “No Description” call classification dispatched by the Portland Bureau of Emergency Communication.
Initial dispatch records showed 29 emergency units rushing to outer East Portland. That number rapidly expanded to 32, then 41, eventually topping out at 50 responding law enforcement units.
Officers and command staff gather evidence and secure the scene of the shooting.
To secure the surrounding Hazelwood neighborhood, officers established a wide containment perimeter, closing S. E. 97th Avenue from S. E. Stark Street north to N. E. Ankeny Street, and stretching east to S. E. 102nd Avenue. The activity appeared to be concentrated along S. E. Oak Street, between 97th and 99th avenues.
Task force encounter leads to fatal gunfire
At approximately 1:45 p.m., task force members encountered the wanted homicide suspect near S. E. 97th Avenue and S. E. Oak Street. When officers attempted to take the suspect into custody, the individual fled, precipitating an officer-involved shooting.
Shots were fired, and the adult male suspect was struck. Despite immediate lifesaving efforts by officers at the scene, the suspect was pronounced deceased. Investigators subsequently recovered a firearm near the suspect’s body.
Looking south on blocked-off S. E. 99th Avenue, law enforcement officers from Gresham, U. S. Marshall’s Office – along with PPB officers, command staff, Forensic Unit workers and Homicide Unit detectives – gather evidence and confer.
Preliminary information indicates that two Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers and two officers from partner agencies discharged their weapons during the encounter.
Per bureau policy, both PPB officers were placed on paid administrative leave pending investigation.
Community mourns the sacrifice of K9 Kylo
During the exchange of gunfire, PPB K9 Kylo sustained fatal gunshot wounds. Emergency responders transported Kylo to an animal hospital, but the police dog died from his injuries.
Kylo had served the bureau and the community for six years, and this day was scheduled to be his very last shift before retirement.
“Quirky and goofy” are two words PPB Public Information Manager Mike Benner uses to describe slain police dog Kylo.
At the scene, PPB Public Information Manager Mike Benner remembered Kylo as a quirky, goofy dog who loved to howl in unison with police sirens during emergency responses.
“I think it is important for everyone at home to understand that Kylo is a beloved member of the Portland Police Bureau,” Benner expressed. “It’s not a stretch to say that our K-9s are like officers. It’s emotional over here. People lost a partner.”
Here’s Kylo, in a photo supplied by the PPB.
PPB Chief Bob Day and Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez responded directly to the scene, while Mayor Keith Wilson and City Administrator Raymond C. Lee received briefings on the incident.
Chief Day noted that Kylo’s final shift was intended to be a day of celebration for the bureau. “We recognize this impacts the police bureau family, and the Portland family, a little more personally today,” Chief Day shared.
Becoming emotional talking about the bureau’s police dogs, PPB Chief Bob Day shows emotion.
Speaking with a tremble in his voice and a quivering lip, Chief Day conveyed the deep bond shared between handlers and working dogs to gathered reporters. “I will tell you, the relationship between a K-9 officer and the K-9 dog is significant,” Chief Day remarked.
“They spend probably more time together one-on-one then any either one of them spend with anyone else,” Chief Day continued. “To watch them work is really a thing of beauty.”
A procession honoring Kylo forms. PPB provided image
Active investigations and appeal for information
Two separate multi-agency investigations remain active following the operation. The Gresham Police Department and the East County Major Crimes Team are directing the ongoing homicide investigation originating from S. E. Market Street.
If you have information regarding the initial homicide, and haven’t yet spoken with investigators, please contact the GPD tip line at 503-618-2719.
Throughout the afternoon, and into the evening, the investigation continues.
Meanwhile, the PPB Homicide Unit is conducting the investigation into the officer-involved shooting. If you have information regarding the officer-involved shooting, and haven’t yet spoken with investigators, please contact homicidetips@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference Case No. 26-279642.
© 2026 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
