Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I discovered your story thanks to a "Forgotten Oregon" page on Facebook. There was an unidentified picture posted from Cottage Grove, Oregon of seven handsome young men in early 1900s dress. All of the men were looking gruff with the exception of an especially handsome smirking gentleman on the far left. The charisma from this person leapt off of the 2-D image and I had to find out who he was. Turns out that handsome young man with the playful smile was you, Officer Wicks. It was wonderful and inspiring to learn that you had dedicated your life to your community and unfortunately, to the fullest extent that an officer can. Thank you for your smile and your service, sir. Lula was lucky she got you, if I had been born about a century earlier, I'd have gotten to you first.

Wendy Smith
No relationship

August 8, 2017

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 14, 2015

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 75th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

May 15, 2012

I was 4 years old when Deputy Wicks was gunned down at Wendling Oregon. The gunman was a man by the name of Crispo, and we lived a short distance from him. He would often walk by our small farm where he tended property he had across Mill Creek. As I recall, Deputy Wicks went to Crispo's door after Crispo had wounded a neighbor in an argument. I do not know if Wicks was armed. When Crispo came to the door, he told Wicks, "I'll be right back." Wicks decided he'd better run for it and get more help. But Crispo gunned him down. I remember vividly when a white ambulance and police cars came by our house. Officers and neighbors surrounded Crispo's house. And he eventually took his life.

About 25 years later while attending college in Eugene, I was employed at the Lane County Sheriff's office for 2 years as a civil deputy, as a process server. One of my "clients" was a man who had a reputation of being a little strange, and my boss warned me about him. When I went to his door to serve the paper, the man greeted me and then said, "Wait, I'll be right back." Wick's fate flashed through my mind, and I thought I had better be ready with my .38 Smith & Wesson. Fortunately, the man didn't cause any trouble and accepted the legal paper.

Wendling didn't have many homicides--maybe Wicks being the only one--during the time my family lived there. But we who lived there though that time will never forget it.

We ought to appreciate and honor our police officers because of the dangers they face every day.

Wayne E. Warner
neighbor

August 29, 2010

02/25/04

You died a hero. Rest in peace, sir.

Captain Robert W Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.

February 25, 2004