Portland police officer killed in I-5 accident

[nadler20]

11:56 AM PST on Monday, January 28, 2008

By kgw.com and AP Staff

A Portland police officer died Sunday when he was struck by a passing truck after having car trouble on Interstate 5 in Vancouver, Wash., authorities said.

Officer Mark Zylawy was a 17-year veteran of the Portland Police Department. He was killed Sunday morning in an accident along I-5 in Vancouver.

Mark Zylawy, 40, of Ridgefield, Wash., had been a police officer for 17 years and is survived by his wife and four children, said Chief Rosie Sizer of the Portland Police Bureau.

The Washington State Patrol said Zylawy was killed at about 6:32 a.m. after his car broke down near the Clark County Fairgrounds. He was next to his vehicle and the hood was open.

The truck driver, Lawrence Stieben, 55, of Milwaukie, Ore., was not hurt.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

"Mark earned the respect of everyone by his hard work, dedication and integrity," Sizer said in a message to the bureau. "Mark loved being a police officer and gave more than we will ever be able to give back."

The Mayor ordered all flags to be flown at half mast at city buildings until services are held for the officer later this week.

"Officer Zylawy was not only a great officer, but a great friend to many in the communities he served with compassion and concern," said Mayor Potter. "His loss will be felt not only by the neighborhoods of Northeast Portland, but in every neighborhood in our city. "Our thoughts are with Mark's wife, Patricia, and his four children."


I would ask for your thoughts and prayers for this officer's family, and his extended family at the bureau. Thank you.

Be safe out there.

[Kimball]

R.I.P. and my prayers go out to the family.

[normal1]

Rest in Peace officer.