Man Killed by Deputies Serving Marijuana-Related Warrant Identified

A warrant for pot charges served at 10:30 p.m. on the rural Mulino home of two senior citizens led to the police shooting of one.

(CANBY, Ore.) - Three days have passed since a man was shot to death by deputies in Canby over marijuana related arrest warrants. He has been identified as 68-year old Hubert Henkel.

80-year old Marjorie Frances Crawford was arrested on a warrant for charges she and Mr. Henkel were both wanted for, relating to growing, possessing and providing cannabis to another person.

You could say those are layman's terms for charges that were layed out in a warrant for both people stating: "Manufacturing" of a controlled substance, Delivery of a controlled substance, and Possession of a controlled substance.

Two deputies served the warrant at the home of these elderly people at 10:30 p.m. Thursday night. They have been identified by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office as Deputy Brian Lister and Deputy Jesse Ashby.

As a result of a Clackamas County Interagency Task Force investigation and execution of a search warrant conducted in the fall of 2008, two separate warrants were issued in Clackamas County for the arrests of Marjorie Frances Crawford, age 80, and Hubert Henkel, age 68.

Both Ms. Crawford and Mr. Henkel resided at 13262 S. Macksburg Road, in the Mulino area of historic Canby, Oregon.

Detective Jim Strovink, Public Information Officer with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, says the newly issued arrest warrants in Clackamas County were first received at the Sheriff's Office on March 2nd. The next day, Strovink explains, they were entered into the law-enforcement data system.

Strovink said, "Aware of these existing arrest warrants -- On March 4th, at 10:30 p.m., two uniformed Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Patrol Deputies responded to this residence located at 13262 S. Macksburg Road, to arrest the two known occupants identified as Marjorie Crawford and Hubert Henkel."

"As a result of this arrest effort, the two Sheriff's deputies identified themselves and were confronted at the front door by Hubert Henkel; who was discovered to be armed with a firearm, non-compliant and pointing his firearm in a threatening fashion directly at each of the two Deputies."

Strovink says the deputies were presented with an "armed and threatening encounter". Mr. Henkel was fatally shot and died at the scene.

"On this same occasion, Marjorie Crawford was located inside this residence, later interviewed by Detectives and subsequently taken into custody for the existing warrant."

The 80-year old woman was lodged in the Clackamas County Jail for the related felony charges of Manufacturing of a controlled substance; Delivery of a controlled substance and Possession of a controlled substance.

Marjorie Crawford was arraigned on these charges in the Clackamas County Circuit Court, on March 5th, and on that occasion released by the court on her own recognizance; meaning that the crime was not severe enough to require the posting of bail. Ms. Crawford is set to appear in court on this continuing matter April 6th, at 9:00 a.m.

The two involved Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Deputies were not physically injured during this armed encounter, Strovink explains.

Deputy Brian Lister has prior law-enforcement experience with the Molalla Police Department dating back to December, 1998; and the Seaside Police Department between May, 2003 and January, 2007. Lister was hired as a Clackamas County Sheriff's Deputy in January, 2007.

Deputy Jesse Ashby has prior law-enforcement experience while serving with the West Linn Police Department as a reserve Officer between October, 2001 and July, 2003. He worked for West Linn Police full-time from July, 2003 until January, 2007. Ashby was hired as a Clackamas County Sheriff's Deputy in January, 2007.

Strovink says that according to Clackamas County Sheriff's Office policy, the two deputies have been placed on administrative leave since the time of this incident.

"At the conclusion of this investigation - conducted by the Clackamas County Major Crimes Team with interagency participation - this completed investigation will be submitted to the Clackamas County District Attorney's Office for consideration of an independent Grand Jury review," Strovink said.

He explained that the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office has successfully completed family notification by locating and notifying a sister of the deceased who resides in Canada.

Without knowing many details, it is hard to really understand how and why this would have happened. Perhaps the time of 10:30 p.m. was selected because that is the time the deputies began their shifts. It does seem that any agency anxious to avoid public conflict would not send officers to the rural home of an 80-year old woman and a 68-year old man to serve a warrant that surely could have been served during the day. Perhaps a lesson will and should be drawn from this.

The Clackamas Sheriff Craig Roberts said. "Our mission is to be open and transparent in these situations. We need to be considerate of and compassionate toward the deputies involved in these situations, their families, and also the family of the individual who died as a result of a deputy's actions."

We will bring you more on this as the facts become available. It is certainly an interesting time in history when it comes to the criminality of the cannabis or marijuana plant.

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Comments Leave a comment on this story.

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zack November 15, 2010 8:26 am (Pacific time)

sad. cops busted me for some smoke i had 5 bucks one doob and an empty bag, big dealer i am cops laughed as they put me in the car said they had there smoke for the night

Henry Ruark March 15, 2009 10:56 am (Pacific time)

To all: Please re-read Editor Tim's last statement to Nick's long intense Comment. Major operating measurement paradigm long demanded in all communications research does emphasize that: WHO says WHAT to WHOM for WHAT PURPOSe, in WHAT channel. ONLY when WHOM is known can one accurately assess true meaning of any statement, made anytime, by anyone.. Surely useful to be well aware of that here...in very pure self-defense !! Here Tim's explanation aids realistic overview, as clearly demanded.

Nick March 12, 2009 11:49 pm (Pacific time)

An old couple trying to help out a friend with a medical plant. Why would you show up at an elderly house at 10:30 pm their usually passed out at like 7 or 8. If I saw some fake ass cops outside my door at the random-ass time of 10:30 all dressed in black. I would pull a gun out for protection too. Then they have the nerve to arrest an 80 y/o women who just watched the cops murder her husband? seriously, that's just down right f*&^%d up. The cops were probably looking to score some free weed to toke up on their late night shift. corrupt ass pigs, go find someone else to bust beside eldely people growing cannabis for medical reasons. It's their weed and cops just want to bust you so they can smoke your s*^t up. I know for a fact that they do because the cops that arrested me smoked my s&%t and said my gram of weed weighed over 5 grams. Probably got too high and forgot that they had to file some paperwork. LLLLEGALIZE this medical plant, for the love of god, before god has to witness another death for this plant he placed on this earth for the consumption of humans; it's a plant just like tomato's. How long does it take to realize how beneficial this plant can be, I mean honestly?

Editor: Nick, honestly, you arrived the one chance saloon when it comes to using profanity on this site. Nothing personal, but this isn't the local bar and plenty of kids visit Salem-News every day. I know you have an empassioned point and I appreciate that, but tone down the language and be ready to support what you are saying about cops if you are going to say it at all. Credibility means everything when making a point.

Open You Eyes March 12, 2009 10:24 am (Pacific time)

These Deputies arrived at a house to serve an arrest warrant.. An arrest warrant is something signed by a judge commanding Deputies to arrest a person.. The show up and get into a confrontation with an armed subject.. These two violated the law and had warrants out for their arrest.. Heck the warrant could have been for anything from DUII to Not paying child support.. Just think if they weren't growing marijuana they wouldn't have warrants out for their arrest... If they didn't have warrants out for their arrest the Deputies wouldn't have arrived at their door.. Hmm weird concept..

Rusty Trichrome March 11, 2009 11:57 am (Pacific time)

This Oregon moron missed his court date, resulting in the warrant. Sheriff's went to the home to serve the warrant, and the idiot answers the door with a firearm. Twasn't cannabis that got him dead...twas his suicide-by-cop that leaves his wife to cary the burden. What...was he in hopes they'd kill his unarmed wife in the exchange...?
He isn't a martyr...he's a coward. Rusty

Daniel March 10, 2009 10:29 pm (Pacific time)

Tim any more details on the story , such as how far away were the officers when they shot ? How many times was Mr Henkel shot , did both officers shoot, did Henkel fire back ? How were the officers dressed ? Any statement from the 80 yr old women ? Has she gotten legal representation ? Thanks

john March 10, 2009 2:49 pm (Pacific time)

those poor people were killed for growing a plant for someone else. think about it. the war on drugs is an out of control war that should not even exist. it's a health issue, not a criminal issue.

Nick March 10, 2009 1:38 pm (Pacific time)

You know who else shows up on elderly peoples door steps at night with guns? Home invaders. Let that be a lesson to you old SOB's. If it's night time and you get a knock at the door just risk the beating and robbery. Otherwise, the police might murder you.

Wolfy March 9, 2009 10:40 pm (Pacific time)

This is another example of the failure of the war on drugs. It is interesting that there are pro drug warriors who conclude that the officers "were just doing their jobs."
Not all laws are just. The people who defended the right of people to own slaves used the same exact excuse: The laws allow slavery so officials are just doing their jobs when they return escaped slaves to their owners. The law enforcement system is intellectually and morally bankrupt (and so are the supporters of these officers).

Fidelity March 9, 2009 4:07 pm (Pacific time)

Mr. King, you end the article with a precarious line. You should expand upon it, knowing as a Vet, like myself, the possible medicinal uses of marijuana for people with PTSD. Speak out, you already serve your country in so many ways, who could criticize you? What ever your feelings are on the subject, now is a great time for a dialog. Oregon has a Medical Marijuana Program, at their age, I'm sure they would have qualified for a card if only they would have pursued one. If our police were reasonable, this would have ended differently. This is just another causality of the War On Drugs, a war that costs us billions of dollars, erodes our liberties under the guise of protecting "the greater good", and allow police to kill needlessly and be justified. Prohibition must end for us to live in a society where we can trust the police.

Anonymous March 9, 2009 9:43 am (Pacific time)

What is this world coming to? People are shot by police for growing a plant that God placed on this earth. The police have to answer on this one and not slap the hands of the killer.

Anonymous March 9, 2009 9:41 am (Pacific time)

This is a sickening story and I soncerely hope the cops are taken to task. They chose to execute the plan this way and in turn executed an Oregonian.

Nathan Fish March 9, 2009 9:02 am (Pacific time)

This is a horrible misdeed, and it should never have happened. If you all truly care about this issue, please DO SOMETHING: *Sign a Petition:* http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Legalize-and-Tax-Cannabis-in-America http://www.thepetitionsite.com/30/legalize-marijuana *Write Your Representatives:* http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml *Organize:* www.mpp.org-Marijuana Policy Project www.norml.org-National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws www.ssdp.org-Students for Sensible Drug Policy We the people can win this "war on drugs"! All we need to do is let our voices be heard. Do not fear revealing yourself for a user or a supporter-in this country our speech is still free! Don't let them take this freedom of conscience away from us!

Red Green March 9, 2009 7:43 am (Pacific time)

Outrageous and continuing war on some drugs. Bad timing, bad execution(no pun intended) and a bad result. Clackamas needs a recall of a bad sheriff's dept.

k March 8, 2009 10:40 pm (Pacific time)

found this and though I would share, seems to be quite relevent (note the date posted) http://robkremer.blogspot.com/2009/02/clackamas-county-sheriffs-office.html

Mel B. March 8, 2009 10:17 pm (Pacific time)

What I want to know is if these two had the opportunity to back up and call for more deputies. Funny how in Marion County they often solve these things without a dead body where in Clackamas and Yamhill there is more of a shoot and kill policy. There is blood on the hands of this agency and it is hard to think that they won't have the shooting deemed 'justified' when in reality, it never should have happened.

Jeff March 8, 2009 9:54 pm (Pacific time)

I feel much safer knowing that these elderly farmers are no longer terrorizing their community by growing plants. What kind of a country would we live in if we didn't arrest an 80 year old woman for growing plants after having killed her husband in a violent confrontation instigated by the state? Sure, we could just leave senior citizen farmers alone and let them grow plants if they want to. Maybe that way people wouldn't have to buy marijuana supplied by violent mexican drug cartels. No, scratch that. Killing seniors and letting our drug war destabilize Mexico makes infinitely more sense.

gail March 8, 2009 8:24 pm (Pacific time)

were either of the cops involved suffering from post Iraq brutality syndrome. My theory is that the more vets we have returning from a lawless war zone, the more we will see them entering the police force and the more we will see of this type of thing. Our poor GI's are not all brutal murderers but they have lived under the auspices of a government which has allowed war crimes as standard operating procedure.

RP March 8, 2009 7:01 pm (Pacific time)

These were two deputies doing their job. They went to a house and announced themselves as police officers. They were confronted by a man waiving a gun at them. What would you like them to do? Mabey they could wait and see if he would shoot them before returning fire. Its amazing how people sit in their cozy little houses and monday morning quarterback people who put themselves in harms way every day for others.

Tim King: Bad call RP. You are obviously of the persuasion that if a cop did it, it must be OK. You aren't fooling anyone around here. I was careful in the article to present it in a fair way. I have a lot of respect for the deputies in Clackamas. That isn't the point. You, and anyone else taking this POV, will fail to address why it is OK to go banging on elderly people's front doors at 10:30 p.m. instead of coming around during at least daylight hours; even early morning. Old people can't always see as well as young people. Besides, how many crooks claim to be police while they get ready to invade a home? I'd like to see the stats. Oh wait, everything that happened is OK because they were marijuana users, is that it? Nice that you are able to skim over a loss of life so easily, I can't. Getting a big war going here over an article will not help anyone.

Vic March 8, 2009 8:07 am (Pacific time)

Craig Roberts has overseen the most trigger-happy bunch of thugs in Clackamas County's history. He needs to live in fear for his life, as the residents of Clackamas County do.

Osotan; March 8, 2009 6:34 am (Pacific time)

yes, the details from investigation are crucial,keep this one alive Sgt.King

Daniel March 7, 2009 6:55 pm (Pacific time)

Sounds as if Mr Henkel was coming to see who was coming so late and had a gun with him for protection , and was shot . Tim how many times was Mr Henkel shot and was it from both officers , did he fire back ? I think this will be a major lawsuit . Did they want to serve the warrant before this poor couple died of old age and illness ? Another causality in the foolish pot wars .

Tim King: Daniel, I will be learning more Monday morning, I understand how this leaves people with an unsettling feeling. Thanks for writing.

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