In the early morning hours of October 6, 1982, a person walking along Salmon Street in Portland, Oregon, discovered a man lying on the steps of a building near the US National Bank. The man, 33-year-old Bruce Winfield Binford, a white male, had been shot in the head. Paramedics arrived and transported him to a local hospital. Despite medical efforts, Binford succumbed to his injuries two days later.
An investigation into Binford's death revealed that he was unemployed and married with no
children. Those who knew him stated that he enjoyed drinking alcohol but was not considered an alcoholic. On the night he was shot, Binford had been at several downtown bars and was last seen at approximately 10:00 p.m. leaving Mr. D's Bar. Investigators believe the motive for the attack was robbery, as Binford's wallet and case were missing when he was found.
To date, the murder of Bruce Winfield Binford remains unsolved, and it is considered a cold case. Law enforcement has not publicly identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with the homicide. The Portland Police Bureau's Cold Case Homicide Unit continues to seek information from the public that might lead to a breakthrough in the case.
