Officer Samuel Smyth Young, a 62-year-old veteran of the Portland Police Bureau, met his tragic end on September 23, 1908, while in the line of duty. On this fateful day, Officer Young was making his routine rounds when he entered a local saloon located at the corner of SE 19th Avenue and SE Umatilla Avenue in Portland, Oregon. His intention was to speak with the saloon owner, but the situation quickly escalated into a deadly confrontation.
As Officer Young was inside the saloon, a
masked man suddenly entered and announced a robbery. Despite the dangerous situation, Officer Young attempted to de-escalate the situation by trying to persuade the masked man to step outside. However, the robber refused to comply and instead opened fire, fatally wounding Officer Young in the chest with a handgun.
The incident was swift and brutal, leaving no time for Officer Young to react or defend himself. The masked man, whose identity was never determined, escaped the scene, leaving behind a trail of tragedy and unanswered questions. Despite the efforts of the Portland Police Bureau and other law enforcement agencies, the killer of Officer Samuel Young was never apprehended or identified.
Officer Young's service to the Portland Police Bureau spanned an impressive 25 years, during which he earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues and the community. He was survived by his wife and three children, who were left to mourn the loss of a dedicated public servant. The case of Officer Young's murder remains one of the unsolved crimes in Portland's history, a poignant reminder of the risks and sacrifices made by law enforcement officers.
The lack of any arrests or identification of the suspect in this case underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in the early 20th century. The investigation, though thorough, did not yield any concrete leads or evidence that could have led to the capture and prosecution of the perpetrator. As a result, the case of Officer Samuel Young's murder remains a cold case, a testament to the enduring mystery and tragedy of that day in 1908.
