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Heavy traffic and crowds expected for April 24 memorial service at Chiles Center

April 22, 2019

The memorial service for Deputy Justin DeRosier will be held on Wednesday, April 24 at 1 p.m. in the Chiles Center. Deputy DeRosier was killed in the line of duty while on patrol in Cowlitz County, Washington. The University is expecting capacity crowds with hundreds of uniformed officers and friends in attendance that day.

The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating all aspects of the memorial and is also working closely with the University’s public safety department to ensure parking attendants will be on site to direct traffic to both the main lot in the Chiles Center as well as the Franz lot on the lower campus. Shuttles have been arranged to run from the lower Franz campus to the main campus. The County’s office has also confirmed that an Uber drop-off site has been organized next to University of Portland’s bookstore.

Traffic is expected to be heaviest between 10 to 11:30 a.m., with doors open at 11, and around 3 and 4 p.m. when the service is expected to conclude and the procession leaves campus.

Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to consider alternative modes of transportation that day, and to add additional time to their regular commute. Classes and labs will be held as usual. For those who will be driving, it is advisable to arrive before 9 a.m.

Media inquiries should be directed to Lorraine Churchill, Public Information Officer and Emergency Management Coordinator for the Department of Emergency Management, Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office. She can be reached at ChurchillL@co.cowlitz.wa.us or at 360.751.1688.