Off-duty sheriff's deputy dies following motorcycle wreck on I-5

Off-duty sheriff's deputy dies following motorcycle wreck on I-5 »Play Video
Tyler Chapman (photo courtesy of the Marion County Sheriff's Office).

ALBANY, Ore. - An off-duty Marion County sheriff's deputy was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed on Interstate 5.

The crash happened around 1:40 p.m. Sunday, about 10 miles north of Albany.

According to the Oregon State Police, 40-year-old Tyler David Chapman lost control of his motorcycle when traffic ahead of him got congested and suddenly braked and stopped. A vehicle that was behind him then ran into him after he went down.

Chapman was wearing a protective helmet but was seriously injured in the crash. He was transported to a local hospital where he died shortly after arrival.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office released the following statement regarding Chapman's death:

The entire staff of the Marion County Sheriff's Office was shocked and saddened by the news of Sr. Deputy Tyler Chapman's death this afternoon.  Chapman died in an off-duty motor vehicle crash on Interstate 5 near Albany.  The Oregon State Police is conducting that investigation.

Sheriff Jason Myers recognized Sr. Deputy Chapman's service with our Office with the following comments, "We share with his family the grief of his passing as he was also a part of our law enforcement family.  Tyler was beloved by his peers and known for his infectious sense of humor.  He was consummate professional, dedicated and committed to training and educating law enforcement officers of the future.  He will be sorely missed"

Tyler Chapman was born in California but developed strong local ties after coming to Oregon.  Tyler graduated from Sprague High School in Salem and served in the United States Navy before returning to his hometown community to pursue a career in law enforcement.  He served with the Gervais and Mt. Angel Police Departments before joining the Marion County Sheriff's Office in 1999.

During his 13-year Sheriff's Office service, he worked in the Enforcement Division as a patrol deputy and detective.  He also served in the Civil Unit and the Court Services Division.  Most recently he worked as a deputy assigned to patrol the Chemawa Indian School in Salem.  Chapman assisted with the Regional Reserve Officer Academy and also taught law enforcement courses at Chemeketa Community College.

Deputy Chapman lived and made his life in Salem with his wife, Torry, two children and their extended family and friends.