Oregon to Parole Cop Killer

Oregon's parole board has brushed off objections from law enforcement to release a logger convicted of beating to death a John Day Police Department officer. Sidney Dean Porter, 52, is scheduled to go free on June 7.

Oregon's parole board has brushed off objections from law enforcement to release a logger convicted of beating to death a John Day Police Department officer in 1992.

Sidney Dean Porter, 52, is scheduled to go free on June 7, reports the Oregonian.

Porter was convicted of murdering Officer Frank L. Ward in the early morning of April 8, 1992 with his fists and a chunk of firewood. The officer had pepper-sprayed Porter, who then pulled the officer's police jacket over his head so he couldn't fight back. Porter was convicted of aggravated murder and sentenced to life in prison.

In February, the Oregon Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision decided to end his prison term. Police chiefs and district attorneys from around the state testified in February at a hearing that Porter should remain in prison.

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