Springfield (KMTR) – It has been six months since Eugene Police Officer Chris Kilcullen was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Springfield. Now a roadside memorial in his honor will likely take on a different look.The corner of Highway 126 and 52nd Street, where the shooting happened in April, quickly grew an impromptu memorial and has been a place to mourn Kilcullen's passing.
Springfield City Council member Joe Pishioneri says plans are in the works for a permanent marker to eventually replace the current collection of flags, flowers and memorabilia. The Oregon State Legislature will take that up during its next session.
Meanwhile, a site cleanup party is scheduled for this coming Sunday. Volunteers will gather with new items, such as flags, to replace some of the worn-out ones. They will also work to make the area cleaner and more orderly.
The event will start at 10 a.m. Sunday. Those who wish to volunteer are asked to bring trimmers, mowers, rakes, etc.
Officer Chris Kilcullen will be honored by the Oregon Peace Officers Association next week. They will give his family a Purple Heart and a Public Service Award in recognition of Kilcullen’s service to the community.
The group will hand out more than 70 other awards to peace officers in our area next Friday, including Medals of Honor, Medals of Valor, along with lifesaving, Public Service and Distinguished Service Awards.
