One year later: Officer back on job, shooter still at large | News

LINCOLN CITY, Ore. – One year ago Monday, law enforcement officers from all over Oregon descended on Waldport and Lincoln City to search for the man who shot a local police officer at close range during a traffic stop.

A year later, the suspect remains at large, but the injured officer has returned to duty after a long recovery.

The incident began when Officer Steven Dodds with the Lincoln City Police Department pulled over a vehicle for speeding about 40 miles north of Waldport. As Officer Dodds approached the driver, he was hit by multiple gunshots.

The suspect, identified as David Anthony Durham, 44, was caught on video driving an SUV at high speed with a trio of police vehicles in hot pursuit down Highway 101. He was not found after abandoning his vehicle and dog near Waldport.

Dodds was rushed to a hospital, gravely injured with multiple gunshot wounds.

Lincoln City Police report Dodds is now back on the job. Durham remains at large and is suspected of shooting at nine other people that night besides Dodds, according to Lincoln City Police.

Authorities speculate Durham may be dead, but he remains a wanted subject.

Dodds endured multiple surgeries during his lengthy recovery process.

"I was a victim for thirty seconds and I have been a survivor since," he said.

Surgeons said most of Dodds' injuries were in his stomach and pelvic area and he had lost a significant amount of blood by the time he was flown to Emanuel Medical Center in Portland following the shooting.

Dodds’ surgeons said his high level of physical fitness helped him survive the shooting. Dodds was even able to call in on his radio for help after being shot.

The investigation into the shooting is still focused on locating Durham. There is a $10,000 reward for information leading to his capture and conviction. Even his family called out for him to turn himself in.

Lincoln City police said they get three to five tips a month on the case and they follow up on each one.

Dodds was awarded the Purple Heart by the Oregon Peace Officers Association and received an award for bravery by the maker of the bulletproof vest he was wearing when he was shot.

Police at the time said Durham drove south on U.S. Highway 101 and was spotted and chased by Newport police. Durham allegedly fired several shots at officers.

None of them was hit, but two patrol vehicles and another car were struck by bullets, according to Lt. Gregg Hastings, an Oregon State Police spokesman.

Spike strips were deployed and Durham abandoned his stricken vehicle and fled into the woods.

An avid outdoorsman and survivalist according to those who knew him, he was able to escape capture. His dog, however, was later found injured and was cared for.