NewsPPB Beat A publication of the Portland Police Bureau December 2020 Sunshine Division continues during pandemic COLD CASE FILE A few years after the last community policing effort. A profile of some of the Homicide global pandemic in 1922 The Sunshine Division is a Division’s Cold Cases and later in 1923, Portland separate independent charity police officers began to now, but during this year, Case # 94-49191 gather to give out Christmas Portland Eddie Morgan police officers have delivered more food greeting people and often boxes than did it overnight and at odd ever before hours. Area residents said in its history. that he was never violent Early on in and was deemed harmless the pandem- by the neighbors. He had ic, Sunshine no record of drug or alcohol re-imagined abuse and had no criminal how they cur- history. He was affection- rently serve ately known as the Mayor of their clients 42nd Avenue. in order to There is no apparent motive continue to for this murder. A dark-col- do so safely View KPTV's story on this ored vehicle was seen leav- food baskets to those in and effectively. They leased Cold Case. ing the area with more than need. The Sunshine Divi- a former grocery store and On May 29, 1994, at one person inside shortly sion was soon created and were able to properly space approximately 4 a.m., after the shooting. now, 98 years later, Portland out volunteers to load boxes Eddie Morgan was shot Investigators believe that Police Officers continue in See SUNSHINE next page to death on the corner of numerous persons have what is now called the first NE 42nd and Alberta. A knowledge of this crime neighbor heard numerous but have not come forward. Holiday briefs Driver sober this holiday gunshots and looked outside This case is particularly Beware of the season to see Eddie standing by compelling because it seems This holiday season will be the bus bench with both apparent that Eddie Morgan package pirates different than most years. hands clutching the bench. did nothing that would have Portland Police continue While parties and get-to- The neighbor watched as caused someone to kill him. to receive reports of peo- gethers will be limited or one hand then the other let Given his mental capacity ple stealing packages from non-existent, Portland go of the bench and Eddie and how he acted around people’s doorsteps, despite police still urge community collapsed onto the sidewalk. everyone, it is likely that he many residents working members to drive sober. Another neighbor rushed to only greeted the person who and staying home. Please Traffic officers will be look- help Eddie. This neighbor killed him and had not had be aware of when packag- ing for impaired drivers. attempted CPR but gave up any contact with that person es are delivered and bring This year has been a very because it was apparent that before. them in promptly. Don’t deadly year on Portland Eddie was dead. Witnesses may contact let these package thieves roadways. Please act respon- Eddie was a 46-year-old Cold Case Homicide Unit spoil your holiday. sibly and drive sober. white male who was mildly investigators directly at mentally challenged. He (503) 823-0400. To remain TALKING BEAT A monthly podcast from the had been disabled from anonymous, witnesses Portland Police Bureau: PortlandOregon.gov/Police/Podcast birth. He frequently walked around the neighborhood See COLD CASE next page PPB Want a Rewarding Career? NewsBeat December 2020 PAGE 2 SUNSHINE con’t. from Page 1 COLD CASE con’t. from Page 1 to be delivered or for pick delivery program in April, may provide information solved felony crime should up. PPB personnel deliv- with the help of the Port- through Crime Stoppers of visit www.crimestopperso- ered many boxes, including land Police Bureau and Oregon. foregon.com, or visit the newly hired officers who numerous local support- Crime Stoppers of Oregon App Store and download could not yet attend the ers, Sunshine Division offers cash rewards of up P3 Tips for your smart state’s Basic Academy due to has provided more than to $2,500 cash for infor- phone or tablet. COVID. 4 MILLION meals to mation, reported to Crime Crime Stoppers of Ore- This year, the agency will over 150,000 households Stoppers, that leads to an gon is funded 100% by deliver holiday food boxes as through their two food arrest in any unsolved fel- community donations. To they have for 98 years. pantries, home deliveries, ony crime and tipsters can support Crime Stoppers More importantly, though, and bulk food distribution remain anonymous. with a donation, or to is the year-round assistance network. Anyone wishing to submit view other unsolved cases, they are providing to Port- For more information or an a secure and anony- please visit www.crimestop- landers. if you need an emergency mous tip regarding any un- persoforegon.com/ Since launching their food box, please visit: sun- expanded emergency food shinedivision.org/ What information would you like to see in this newsletter? Please let us know. Email: [email protected] Get future issues in your email by signing up at portlandoregon.gov/police/NewsBeat.