Two Officers Killed by Bomb at Bank in Oregon

A $35,000 reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) responsible for their tragic deaths and injuries.

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(WOODBURN, Ore.) - An Oregon State Police Bomb Technician and Woodburn Police Officer were killed, and the Woodburn Chief of Police was critically injured Friday afternoon when an explosive device detonated at a Woodburn area bank.

Police say Friday at approximately 10:32 AM, a Woodburn-area Wells Fargo Bank received a threatening phone call from an unknown person. Bank personnel notified Woodburn Police Department and the bank was evacuated. With the assistance of the FBI and Senior Trooper Bill Hakim, officers located a suspicious object that was determined to not be dangerous.

During the day according to reports, the investigation led next door to the West Coast Bank on Highway 214 just east of Interstate 5. While Chief Russell, Captain Tennant and Senior Trooper Hakim investigated a suspicious device in the area of the bank, it detonated at approximately 5:24 PM.

Senior Trooper Hakim, a Certified Hazardous Device Technician with the Arson & Explosives Section was assisting Woodburn Police Department inspecting a suspicious device when it detonated, killing Senior Trooper Hakim and Woodburn Police Captain Tom Tennant. Woodburn Police Chief Scott Russell was critically injured in the explosion.

Woodburn Fire Department personnel and police officers from multiple agencies responded. An approximate 3 block area, mostly comprised of local business, was evacuated.

Woodburn Police Chief Scott Russell, age 46, was transported by ambulance to Oregon Health Sciences University. Chief Russell has been with Woodburn Police Department for 20 years.

Also injured was a female employee for West Coast Bank. Her name is withheld at the request of investigators. She was transported by ambulance to Salem Hospital where she was treated and released.

Woodburn Police Department Captain Tom Tennant, age 51, a 28-year veteran of Woodburn Police Department was hired on September 08, 1980 as a Woodburn Police Officer.

Tom Tennant was promoted to the rank of Captain on November 1, 2004. Captain Tennant served as the Administrative Captain, overseeing both the Investigation and Records Divisions. Captain Tennant has served as a Police Officer, Patrol Sergeant, and Detective Sergeant. Captain Tennant is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Captain Tennant is survived by his wife and 2 daughters and a son ages 24, 22, and 17.

51-year old Oregon State Police Senior Trooper William (“Bill”) Hakim, an 11-year veteran of the Oregon State Police, died from duty-related explosion injuries received while performing his duties as a Hazardous Devices Technician.

OSP Senior Trooper Bill Hakim

Senior Trooper Hakim was hired with the Oregon State Police on July 1, 1997 and stationed at the Klamath Falls Area Command office in the Patrol Services Division. On March 1st 1999 he transferred to the Salem Area Command office as a detective in the Arson and Explosives Section. He has also been involved with the Oregon State Police SWAT team and has taught other law enforcement officers about arson and bomb investigations.

Senior Trooper Hakim is survived by his wife, and 16-year old son and 18-year old daughter.

46-year old Chief Scott Russell, was hired with the Woodburn Police Department on August 22nd 1988 as a Police Officer. Chief Russell has served as a Patrol Office, Detective, Patrol Sergeant, and Deputy Chief. Chief Russell is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and is active in the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police.

Chief Russell is married and has two daughters ages 12 and 10.

Twenty-eight Oregon State Police troopers have died in the line of duty.

The last on duty death occurred September 4, 2001.

Senior Trooper Hakim is the second Oregon State Police Arson & Explosives Section detective to die in the line of duty. The first was Sergeant Richard Schuening on October 2, 1997.

A $35,000 reward is offered by the FBI and ATF for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect(s) responsible related to this investigation.

A tip line is established to assist in this investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call 800-800-3855.

Highway 214 and some surrounding city streets are closed and may remain so throughout the weekend. Those who need to travel in this area are asked to take an alternative route.

Marion County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation with members of the interagency Homicide Assault Response Team (HART), FBI and ATF. The HART team members assisting are from Oregon State Police, Marion County Sheriff's Office, Salem Police Department, Keizer Police Department, Mt. Angel Police Department, Stayton Police Department, and Marion County District Attorney's Office.

Here is a Salem-New.com report from August 2006 that featured the words of Bill Hakim:

Oregon State Police Celebrate 75 Years (VIDEO)

Previous reports on the fatal explosion in Woodburn:

Police Officer Dies in Explosion at Woodburn Area Bank‏

Update on Serious Explosion in Woodburn that Injured Police

Explosive Device Blows Up Seriously Injuring Police in Woodburn (AUDIO)