On a Tuesday afternoon, the life of Larry Eugene Mell, a 72-year-old White male, was unexpectedly cut short. It was November 30, 2021, and Mell was driving his red 2003 Dodge Ram truck westbound on Highway 38, just west of Drain, Oregon. As he traveled near Putnam Valley Road, a gunshot suddenly pierced the quiet of the rural landscape, striking and fatally wounding him.
Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 1:00 P.M., but despite their efforts, Mell succumbed to
his injuries. The Oregon State Police were notified and promptly began an investigation into the untimely death of the Cottage Grove resident. In the initial stages of their inquiry, investigators have considered the possibility that the shooting may have been a tragic accident.
Larry Eugene Mell was a man who had faced and overcome numerous challenges in his life. A Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War, he had previously survived heart surgery, a brain injury, and a battle with cancer. His family remembers him as a strong survivor who found joy in fishing and crabbing. He was a father to eight children and a cherished grandfather and great-grandfather.
As the investigation has continued, law enforcement has yet to publicly identify any suspects or make any arrests in connection with Mell's death. On the first anniversary of the incident, the Oregon State Police issued a renewed appeal to the public for any information that might shed light on the circumstances of that day. They specifically requested that anyone who was shooting in the area of Highway 38 and Putnam Valley Road on November 30, 2021, or knows of someone who was, to come forward. The case remains an active and ongoing investigation as a family continues to seek answers and closure for their profound loss.
