Ore. Parole Board won’t free John Day cop-killer

The state Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision reversed course Tuesday and decided not to release a man who killed a John Day police officer in 1992 — at least, not until the fall.

The board issued a brief statement, saying it had rescinded the scheduled Friday release of Sidney Dean Porter, “after consultation with the governor’s office.”

However, it said it will reopen the “exit interview” hearing on an as-yet unspecified date in September.

Parole board members last week told an Oregon House committee at a hearing that they would not reconsider its decision to release Porter.

Groups representing district attorneys, police chiefs and sheriffs have asked the parole board to reverse its decision.

Law enforcement officers and prosecutors told lawmakers that Porter is still a threat to the community.

The board’s chairwoman and its executive director told legislators the evidence at Porter’s parole hearing led them to conclude he is no longer a danger to the community.

On Monday, Gov. John Kitzhaber sent a letter asking board members to reconsider their decision, saying the process was flawed.

Porter fatally beat Officer Frank Ward with a piece of firewood after the officer responded to a complaint of domestic abuse and loud music.

The Oregon District Attorneys Association, the Association of Chiefs of Police and Oregon State Sheriffs Association have petitioned the parole board to reverse its decision.