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Dennis Scharf

Death by Force
Case Description
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On a spring evening in Salem, Oregon, the lives of many were irrevocably altered. Inside the Oregon Museum Tavern on May 7, 1981, Dennis Scharf, a 56-year-old Caucasian male, was among the patrons when a gunman shattered the ordinary Thursday night. The sudden eruption of violence left Scharf with devastating injuries that would forever change the course of his life. While he survived the initial onslaught, the shooting left him a quadriplegic, beginning a long and arduous journey of survival....Read More
Links to Additional Sources (9)
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  • Legacy.com: Dennis Scharf Obituary (2013) - Salem, OR - The Statesman Journal
  • The Bulletin: 32 years later, bar shooting in Salem claims its final victim
    •     ...View 7 additional sources
    Victim Details

    Dennis Scharf

    Male

    White / Caucasian

    Salem

    OR

    1981-05-07

    56

    Dennis

    Scharf

    11/30/2025

    Forum Posts (2)
    I've been thinking a lot about the courage it must have taken for those patrons to confront Lawrence... ...Read More
    07/05/2023
    Has anyone else read about the unfortunate incident at the Oregon Museum Tavern back in 1981? I can'... ...Read More
    05/12/2023
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