Officer arraigned on attempted murder charge after shootout
HILLSBORO, Ore. – With the cuts that police said he received while resisting arrest still on his face, a Hillsboro police officer charged with attempted aggravated murder made his first court appearance Tuesday.
Five Forest Grove officers, four Washington County deputies and a Hillsboro police officer were put on paid leave for firing their guns during a standoff and shootout with 46-year-old Officer Timothy Cannon at his home in Forest Grove on Sunday night.
Cannon is accused of trying to kill another officer.
One deputy received an injury to his hand from shrapnel but he's OK. It is unclear which gun that shrapnel came from.
Cannon didn't say anything or show any emotion during his court appearance, but he was assigned a lawyer.
Sources said Cannon was armed with a gun when officers responded to his wife's 911 call from inside his home, saying her husband was acting volatile.
Responding officers and deputies tried to communicate with Cannon, who was off duty at the time, from outside the house. They went in the home and then that was when the 10 officers and deputies fired their guns.
Police also confirmed that Cannon did fire the gun he was armed with on Sunday night; however, investigators haven't yet said if he used the gun he has through the Hillsboro Police Department.
At Cannon's home Tuesday, investigators with Oregon State Police were still there sorting through the evidence. The district attorney has sealed court documents usually made public as the investigation continues. It is likely to last at least another two weeks.
Washington County sheriff's spokesman Dave Thompson said it is taking longer than usual because it's such a complicated case.
"Generally in an officer-involved shooting type of case with have maybe one, maybe two officers that fire, and so this is going to take a lot longer to get all the statements from all of the officers and all of the witnesses all compiled together to a point we’re going to have a better, clearer picture of the scene," he said.
Cannon's wife works with the Forest Grove Police Department. The police captain said she's not doing well emotionally and the department is providing her with as much support as possible – meaning meals and counseling. Their 6-year-old child was also home at the time.
Shortage of Forest Grove officers
With five of its officers involved in the shooting and on mandatory paid leave, the Forest Grove Police Department has taken a major hit from this. It affects a quarter of its entire police force. But Capt. Mike Herb said the department is making adjustments to keep enough officers on the streets.
"We've gotten creative with staffing," he said. "We also do have a good relationship with our partner agencies: Cornelius Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff's Office. And so they are available to assist if we needed them for a critical incident."
Herb said the department is committed to maintaining the best service it can despite the shortage.
I worked alongside Tim from '93-'96. After he moved on to law enforcement and I went to work for another company, I still occasionally interacted with him in the course of our jobs until 2008. Something about this entire situation is not right. I know that over the years life experiences can change people, but something about this doesn't ring true. Tim is one of the most compassionate, patient, level headed, and solid people that I know. He was the guy that I would turn to to deescalate a situation, and he did every time. I don't know the background and details to this story (and really, none of us do), but I know in my heart that what is being portrayed to the public, via the media, isn't the whole truth, nor the real story. Tim is a great guy, one of the best. I hope that everyone withholds judgment until the entire story comes out.
Wildmann99...thank you for the comment.
10 (actually 11 including Cannon) police officers fired their weapons and NOONE was hit???? Really?   Yikes.....Forest Grove has some training to do.
 @oh4FS EXACTLY what I was thinking. Either that, or nobody actually wanted to hit anybody.
Not to excuse Tim's actions by any means, but we all need to wait to hear the cause of his actions. I was involved with this man for almost 5 years before he was married and this man didn't have an angry bone in his body. A very GOOD MAN!!!   My thoughts and prayers are with him, his wife/kids and extended family.
 @k-in-oregon I know Tim and Lisa very well. Tim is one of the best people I have ever met. My wife and I have been close family friends with their family for the last 4 years. Tim Cannon doesn't have a mean bone in his body. Something obviously made him extremely upset Sunday night and having 10 cops enter his house probably threw him into self defense mode. I pray that he and Lisa are able to save their marriage and that his children do not have to grow up without their dad in their lives.
 @Wildman99  @k-in-oregonÂ
We hear these stories so often - that people flip out and their friends/family can't believe it. Some people are really good at hiding their problems. A cop of all people (in his right mind) would know how dangerous it would be to have a weapon or put up any resistance to another cop on a domestic violence call. There is a lot more happening here than self-defense mode.
I don't think I'd want him working as a policeman in any community in which I lived.
"Their 6-year-old child was also home at the time."
Â
That's the most tragic part of the whole story. I hope the investigators can piece together what happened. There has to be more to this story; it'll be interesting to see what else is shared in the next few weeks.
There is obviously SO much more to this story. I knew Tim 18 years ago and at least back then I knew him to be ethical, mild mannered and a trustworthy man. We made several arrests together and never once was he not professional. He treated everyone with respect and compassion. I am withholding judgement on this, but I suspect he was emotionally backed into a corner.
Â
I pray for his wife and child and I hope he gets all the support he needs to get through this...he will need it. And let's not forget, regardless of what happens; he will always be that little girls father and so I hope he is able to find a way to heal that relationship.
 @TruEarthtv he is guilty.
 @TreeWizard We are all guilty of something.
 @TruEarthtv Not me. I paid me debts.
I know someone that knew him professionally and said something similar. Something went really wrong and wonder if the really issues are not with the 10+ "officers" that responded and started the gun play. The news reports officers were inside and then outside and there was gun fire.
Â
Lots of unanswered questions here so we are all just guessing etc.
Â
We will NOT know anything until the court unseals the investigation.
 @FreerideNOT Take the guns from the cops.
 @Jim330rifle Yeah. RIGHT.
There is a lot of Monday morning quarter backing and second guessing going on and I know it's hard not to do. When the entire story comes out, which it will, the actions of the responding officers will make more sense.
What? He had to have an appointed attorney for defense? I would have thought he could afford one!
Smart move on his part. The nature of the charges require that he have representation immediately in all matters related to this incident. The PD will be withdrawn once he submits a financial statement that might show that he has funds, if not he has a PD up to speed. The home and accounts may be in his wifes name or he may be upside down which is doubtful with two PERS covered incomes.
@FreerideNOT He would have had to be interviewed by the court release assistance officer prior to court appearance. Representation at court apprearance would have been made as to whether or not he could afford his own attorney. As for the two PERS accounts, they may not be instantly available to tap. That he has no other funds to use for an attorney may be part of the financial problem as to why he erupted in the first place.
At least one of the PERS incomes will continue , the wifes, his will be a lump sum payout of accrued wages/holiday/vacation pay from HPD. His PERS will stay there if he is not at minimum retirement, unless he files to withdraw.
Â
I gather that this is a long term marriage (10+ yrs), thus he will have access to her funds also.......In domestic matters the outsiders are the bad guys and cops know this going in. Many times the abused spouse becomes violent when the aggressor is taken into custody, in this case the wife may very well side with husband
Nothing beyond a recitation of the charges would have happened at first appearance, and the question of release. As to the two PERS incomes, I doubt that will continue, given the nature of these charges. And, yes, the defense here will definitely be costly!
The two PERS accounts were meant to mean that both held PERS covered positions and that with double incomes they may not have been upside down on the home or other assets.
Â
A criminal proceeding such as this would not go forth without representation, the court would have arraigned and entered a NG plea on behalf of the defendant within statutory time limits. The defendant would then have time to private retain or use a PD if the court approves. The court must move in a manner which protects the defendants rights.
Â
The defence in this case will be costly and more than likely beyond his means
"The district attorney has sealed court documents usually made public as the investigation continues."Â
Â
Nope, no double-standard for cops. /sarc
 @NGerblansky I still think that something smells fishy about this case.
 @UtterReality I agree.  Sure doesn't seem reasonable for 10 armed officers to enter another police officer's home and all fire their weapons.... Something is awry here.  Most of us would not take kindly to a bunch of officers entering our home with weapons drawn and firing with our family in the house.  Why should we expect this guy to?  This just doesn't add up.
He perhaps surrendered and they arrested him, that is the only reason why he wasn't killed. Â He may have thrown his gun away and declared surrendor. Â Recall the tattooed eye guy from alaska who was shot by swat team that came to arrest him but he somehow managed to survive. Â http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2012/09/17/1226475/547885-jason-barnum.jpg
Â
When they were shooting, it may be that they weren't shooting directly at him, he may have had cover so he is lucky 10 cops didn't kill him because the shooting happened in his house. Â
Â
Something similar to this happened when Minneapolis police accidentally broke into the wrong house only to meet an asian guy with a shotgun but they didn't shoot at him and quickly withdrew after they figured they had wrong house, even though they were hit with the shot gun and no one died or was injured.
As a retired deputy, why did these 'John Wayne's' and 'Audie Murphy's' even go in the this guys house?? Let me guess, naaa, not even worth the comment...
 @bonedÂ
Why do you assume the worst and make insulting comments before you know the whole story? If you are a retired deputy I would think that you would know this.
 @boned Not saying I would ever want to but, if I did have to shoot it out with anybody I would hope it was these guys.... If Cannon was naked and on fire, sprawled out on the hood of a cruiser, AND they were Portland Police I don't think he would have stood a chance.
Well which is it? Are you a Sheriff or a deputy?
Â
There is more to this, with Cannon doing the smart thing and not saying anything he very well may prevail against these cowboys/girls.
Â
Could there be an extra marital affair going on? Is one of the responders the third party. Everyone in this little circle j knew one another.
@FreerideNOT   Boned is neither a former Sherrif or Deputy. In fact, Boned has never served in an type of law enforcement capacity...other than in his online gaming community.
 @oh4FSÂ
Not unlike another regular poster on here who is an expert on every topic - I think he's up to about 100 different professions now, including LE.
@FreerideNOT We have been called many things while on the stand in court. The rank doesn't matter, really; all deputies are deputies of the elected Sheriff! We serve at his pleasure, representing him/her.Â
You are correct. The last elected Sheriff I know of that tried to replace the deputies in existence when he was elected was in Tillamook County during the late 70's. It didn't work for him; they were called County employees. But we do work as his representatives in enforcing the law.
jpk::::
Â
yesterday boned said he was a Sheriff, today he/she is a deputy. Just asking for clarification.
Â
Are you are aware that not all Sheriffs are elected but are appointed by the county commission/selectman. Multnomah County used to be a home rule county and the commission appointed the Sheriff, either Holzman, Clark or Brown  were the last appointments.  Also in this day and age of unions and labour laws employment is NOT at his her pleasure.
 @FreerideNOT You are so right! Circle j and a bunch of monkeys with a football.
All those shots fired and not one hit their target! Thank goodness the daughter or wife wasn't hit with all the Barney Fifes shootng!
Â
Shrapnel? from what? and 10 officers out of commission, I bet this officer is going to plead self defense. and I bet if he "remains silent" they will never know what will happen. But to me this case has a lot of questions like why were there 10 officers deployed on to this one officer?
I won't make a judgment right now but 10 to One seems a tad over kill and if the officer fired on and I repeat one shot, it could have been in self defense.
 @lee986321 One of 'em must'a hit a lamp or glass window, maybe?
 @lee986321 When it is a standoff situation, many officers and agencies show up to provide assistance. That is just standard procedure.
So very sad .
Â
There is more to this than we know today. I find it hard to believe that 10 officers fired their guns and no one was hit. Perhaps we have a serious training issue here, even PPB does not get this far out of line with shots.
Â
Do they have a place to tie up their horses when they are in the office handwriting their reports and cleaning their boots.
 @FreerideNOT Can ll the officers account for where there rounds went? that would be the bullet that hits them all in between the eyes when it comes to the court room stand, that is it they havn't been "Groomed" if you know what I mean.
Have no fear, the forensics lab will track each shot fired!
 @FreerideNOT I would have included that the officers on leave would not have contact with each-other until the day of court hearing.
10 trained police officers firing their guns and no one hit him. But the gun nuts are just positive that with the right gun(s) they can wipe out a small army coming through their door with no warning. Uh Huh...
 @ormom Gimme a break.
 @ormom Hello ormom, I'm wondering if you can tell me who do you consider a "gun nut"? I've asked several posters on this board and no one can/will answer. I'm genuinely curious to hear your characterization.
 @Torino_v2  @ormom Ted Nugent....and this guy, James Yeager, the CEO of a Tennessee company called Tactical Response. In response to the prospect of stricter gun laws, he posted a YouTube video saying, "If that happens, it's gonna spark a civil war, and I'll be glad to fire the first shot. ... I'm not letting my country be ruled by a dictator. I'm not letting anybody take my guns. If it goes one inch further, I'm gonna start killing people." Yeager later apologized after Tennessee officials suspended his concealed carry permit. Are you a James Yeager? Do you sleep with your firearm loaded under your mattress or pillow unsecured...??  If so, you're a "gun nut"