Eugene Police Department

Driving under the influence is never worth it. Alcohol or drugs slow your reactions, blur your judgment, and turn a few careless moments into a lifetime of regret.
If you plan to drink or use, plan not to drive.
✅ Line up a sober ride.
✅ Call a friend or rideshare.
✅ Stay the night if you need to.
Every time you get behind the wheel intoxicated, you endanger lives, including your own. Let’s keep Eugene’s roads safe for everyone.

The EPD Cold Case Squad continues to press for justice and closure for the crime victims, their family and friends, and the Eugene community.
Victim: Walter Uria Pirtle
Age at the time of homicide: 47
Location of homicide: 40 East 10th Avenue (His body was found in the doorway of a downtown mall blood donor bank - Photo)
Date and time of homicide: Walter Pirtle was attacked and killed around 4 a.m., on August 23, 1989.
Cause of death: Blunt force trauma from multiple strikes to his head with a club and stabbed with a knife.
Brief synopsis: Pirtle, who was without housing, was attacked while waiting with another man for the blood bank to open. Two suspects approached on foot demanding money. Pirtle was attacked with a club and knife and died at the scene. The second victim was not seriously injured. It is believed the suspects were seen in a light brown Ford Pinto station wagon. Suspect #1 was described as a white male, early 20s, 150 lbs, and suspect #2 was described as a white male, early 20s, 140-150 lbs.
The public plays a crucial role in helping to solve these cases and EPD has multiple ways to contact the investigators. To remain anonymous, callers may provide information through Crime Stoppers of Oregon (linked in each of the following EPD cold case summaries). Information about the Eugene Police Department cold cases reported to Crime Stoppers of Oregon may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,500.
Information learned from social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter or YouTube should be shared with investigators as these tips may lead to the identification of a suspect or suspects.