Deputy honored for helping woman accused of shoplifting
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WOOD VILLAGE, Ore. - A Multnomah County Sheriff’s Deputy was honored recently for going beyond the call of duty.
Deputy DeWayne McQueen was sent to the Wood Village Walmart on March 19 to arrest a woman for shoplifting.
McQueen gave the woman a citation but he also noticed the items the woman took - some children's underwear and socks - were unusual and not the kind of things usually taken by shoplifters.
McQueen learned that the woman had been unemployed for a year and was living at a Gresham hotel with her four children. She said she took the items for her children, according to remarks at a recent ceremony.
She was also accused of stealing food so the kids could have something to eat at school.
Deputy McQueen, after checking in with his superior, went back to the store, bought the items the woman had stolen, and then took them to the woman at her hotel.
The woman was also directed to get possible assistance for herself and her children. McQueen's actions were "beyond what would be expected in making a positive difference for this family," a speaker at the ceremony said.
McQueen was given a framed Letter of Commendation for his actions.
@ Derek2mk....Get over yourself. We see and hear about ENOUGH negativity from all the media. It's refreshing to hear about something positive for a change. And, NO, the deputy did NOT compromise any criminal case against the suspect. You are also obviously ignorant around the so-called *plenty* of social service agencies in Portland. While I am in NO WAY justifying the females actions around the theft, I am applauding the officer for giving the community something to see other than "just another crime," as that gets old. Bottom line...the children received some socks, food, etc. You are the only one that seems to believe that the officers actions were unprofessional and counter-productive...and that's just your "opinion"....and that doesn't seem to go very far.
Most police agencies prohibit an officer from becoming too personally involved in any police action, less it taint their judgement and their effectiveness in a case. This deputy, by his actions, has compromised any criminal case against the suspect. This is very unprofessional, and counter-productive to the effective enforcement of the law.  This is compounded by the approval of his supervisor, and a subsequent Letter of Commendation by Sheriff Stanton.Â
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The Portland area has *plenty* of social service agencies that could have had the same result, without any percuniary contribution by the Deputy (thus compromising him) as an effective witness in any criminal matter. Over-identification with a victim, or a criminal suspect, may have profound effects on a given case. Notice the (unsolved) circus that is the Kyron Horam case, replete with Deputies weeping in Press Conferences, and MCSO failing to impress on family members that a "Jerry Springer" like atmosphere in the press (read "Wall of Hope") was not condusive to a swift and acceptable resolution to the case.Â
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Now, consider the quiet, dispassionate (yet caring) professionalism of the Gresham Police, Chief Craig Junginger, Investigations Lt. Claudio Grandjean, and the investigators involved in the Whitney Heichel Homicide.  This notion is evidenced by the utterly swift, and total, resolution of the case. No grandstanding, no theatrics, no sappy sentimentalism. Just solid police work, good Public Information Officers putting out as much information as possible, and (most importantly) - very tight supervision of the case by those in charge of the investigation.Â
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The results of both investigations are quite telling.
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 @Derek2mk you're ignorant and don't know what you're talking about.  Yes there are some social service agencies, but they can only do so much with their lack of funds. I work in the social service industry and it's hard because sometimes we do have to turn people away because we just don't have the space or money to help out people down on their luck. So if someone wants to help out a stranger, who are you to judge them? This officer is a perfect example of how there is still good and kindness in the world.
 @Derek2mk You know what. All the guy wanted to do was help someone who was down on her luck. One human being to another. This officer did what any MAN would do.
now this is good deed for real,,,GOD is good,,,bless this officer HEART,,,all cops should be like this,would make world better place
good deed
 @Daron Walter Yes indeed!Now maybe Walmart will drop the charges
Another thing that is sad is how people are "saying good job officer" while not feeling or expressing concern for the lady that created this story. Â I bet she still is in this hotel living the same way as before with no aid whatsoever. Â If anyone knows how I can help this lady, I would be more than willing to throw down because this is a sad sad story.
Is the area that hard up for resources for the poor & disadvantaged, that this woman couldn't find anywhere to go to find very basic needs for her and her children? I always thought that there were numerous agencies, charities, etc. operating in the area that could provide help for her when asked, all's she had to do - was ask. And does welfare, food stamps, utilitis aid, etc. no longer cover minimum housing and food needs? I'm flabbergasted that we're to the point, where there are not enough safety nets out there in place to cover such basic items, that a mother would have to resort to robbery. Very depressing.
 @OSUx2 Yes it is very depressing and people are living like this or worst throughout america.  Rich people fund aid programs to other nations while we can't even take care of our own.  America is going downhill and we sure are getting used to it.
 @portlandborn83  @OSUx2 You are so right.We are the richest country on earth and we can not help our own people.It makes me sick!
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 @OSUx2 Utility assistance is hard to chase down and you better have a phone and a way to have your kids cared for after school while you are in line for 6 hours waiting for it even if you even find it. It will help for a short time but then there is that pesky rest of the year. Food stamps run out before the month does even with careful planning. Housing? Well, Section 8 has had it's WAIT LIST to even be in line for housing closed for years except for 10 days this month which puts people in line literally for years in a lottery style thing.  Rent is high now, being a landlord's market lately. There are food banks/closets over-stressed and underfunded. There are used clothing at the Goodwill that are now $$$expensive for the poor folks and there sometimes are some clothing closets, but decent kids' sox and undies?...well, that's something else. This mom must have been feeling pretty pushed-to-the-wall. I am not making excuses for her theft but as someone who does volunteer work to help others in need to try to get resources, it can be really hard to find what is needed. Everyone should know to call 211 to find resources for those in need, though...great resource in and of itself.
Hugs, pats on the back and all kinds of kudos and a big thx to Deputy McQueen. Wish we could clone you ; ) because we always need more people like you! Thx to his boss for recognizing and honoring McQueen and the act of compassion.
I wish we had more stories like this EVERY DAY!!! Congrats on a GREAT job Deputy McQueen! God Bless You!
Outstanding job on the part of Deputy McQueen. Going the extra step to help someone out. That is super!!
This type of action by police happens all the time, you just don't hear about it. One reason is that they don't do it to seek a commendation (I'm sure that this Deputy didn't expect or want the attention). Second, you don't want to get tagged as a softy by your fellow officers.
 @Scotty9 Yes you are right, they only mention bad deeds in the media typically and barelly any good deeds.
 @Scotty9 You Sir, are absolutely correct in your summation!! We become so used to the negative from our supervisors and citizens that we sought nothing to be made light of...
This should be on the national news! Cool Job McQueen! It's cops like you that give serious meaning to "protect and serve"!  You make us all proud!
Deputy McQueen, you are an honourable man that saw a real need and did your part to help someone who was really in need. Your department and the community should be very proud to have you among them. Great job!!!!
What a nice gesture from the deputy. I think the only negative thing that can be said about this story is how ugly the Multnomah County Sheriffs uniforms are!Â
 @Beergod Hey, in my county next door we used to wear tan pants & pinkish colored shirts and PPB along with MCSO thought we were reserves!! We finally went to green pants with tan shirts to fit in. What always bugged me about any cop uniform was the the backward flag that appears to be changing. I always thought MCSO had great uniforms, but then I wore 'pinkish' colored shirts...Â
Bravo sir. Bravo!
Folks, this story brought tears to my eyes!! 29 1/2 years in law enforcement and I never kept track of the amount of money I spent to help someone less fortunate. 90% of the time I just kept a lid on the garbage, but you develop a sense about folks that honestly need some help. My old Stetson is indeed off to Deputy McQueen!!
I am surprised the "state" didn't become ruthless in their insatiable thirst for more money and instead did something nice...feel good story of the year likely here.
 @portlandborn83 Way to besmirch the individual, compassionate actions of Deputy McQueen there.
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Thank you Deputy McQueen for thinking about the situation and acting human and with compassion!
I am not besmirching any individual; I am besmirching the state and their corruption over compassion (in most cases).
 @nonpartisan In general, all police right now are ticketing and fining people as much as possible...this is their policy.  They are even arresting people who are watching their kids play in their front lawn (I can give a link if you want)! Â
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The courts are not reducing fines or sentences very often now and they are arresting tons of other shoplifters daily and weekly who are in similar circumstances throughout this state and nationwide. Â This is one good story out of hundreds or thousands where people stole out of necessity. Â Keep in mind they even shot shoplifters on site after hurricane katrina.
 @portlandborn83 The only way your comment makes sense is to believe that law enforcement is full of mindless automatons that are controlled by the state and who cannot make decisions on their own.
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"I am surprised that the 'state' didn't become ruthless . . . and instead did something nice."Â How are you not associating Deputy McQueen with the "state" in this instance?
Very cool! Wish we had more officers like this.
 @Jamie They are out there, but folks would rather hear about what they believe is bad behavior. Hate seems to be trumping good more and more...
Too true. If a cop shoots and kills someone in self defence, people get bent, if a cop shoots and wounds a guy and the guy survives, people get bent and try to say the cop is a BAD SHOT. I think our public sevice folks do a damn good job with what they have to work with, and this young man is proof they are out there, as you said!
good for him!
Wow! That is community policing at its finest!Â
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What I find so heartening about this article is that this officer saw the actual person rather than dehumanizing her as a behavior. Truly our communities would be a different and better environment if this kind of policing were common practice and normative behavior demonstrated by police rather than the exceptional example worthy of a humanitarian award.Â
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Honestly, if cops were generally appreciated as good actors in the community by consistently demonstrating the behaviors commensurate with their oath to uphold the laws then their jobs would be safer as would our communities.
 @Icarus That works great but I honestly believe that most of the people the police deal with have no respect for anybody and are only out for themselves not doing something for their kids or other family. This makes a great story but I am sure is an extremely rare situation...
Nice work deputy McQueen. You make us proud and set a high standard.
Someone made a gesture like this toward my mother, when my two brothers and I were just tots. Won't bore you with the details, but, it made all of the difference. I've also had PPD bring food for me and my baby after being ripped off. It made a lifetime impression on me. People don't always realize how one small act can continue to ripple for a lifetime. Ultimately effecting thousands. Way to go officer, and everyone else who's done something good today. =)
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 @Fed up Fed Your probably right, however it probably helped. A helping hand is just what it is, helping.
WTG, Deputy McQueen...That lady will remember him for a long, long time for his acts of kindness... Â :-)
Now THAT is the sort of news I like to see! Kudos to Deputy McQueen for his actions, and for the Multnomah County Sheriff's Department for recognizing this as an outstanding act of kindness!
Bravo, but the title makes it sound like he was an accomplice. SOmeone needs to help her get a job now.
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and, freedomerocks, what the hell does any of that got to do with a man helping someone out in a pinch?
 @iamtroglodite Are you on drugs or did you even read my comment? I simply said most people police deal with are not stealing for their kids they are doing it for their drugs. So what the hell does you comment have to do with what I said?
@FreedomRocks Nice job, you managed to turn a "feel-good" local story into a political diatribe. What's wrong with leaving politics & your personal dislike of whomever out of just one story's comments for a change?
@FreedomRocks I call you ranting about Obama & his job's plan a political diatribe. Your post didn't have anything to do with people stealing for drugs.
 @katiemcc  @FreedomRocks You call stating most people police deal with are stealing for drugs not kids a political diatribe? Are you already on the WA legal pot?
Awesome.