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85 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, July 20, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend March 30, 2004 Wounded trooper comes home By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune An Oregon State Police trooper who was shot in the line of duty Friday has been released from the hospital. Trooper Nick Neville was wounded in an exchange of gunfire with a man who was wanted for bank robberies committed this month in Nevada. Neville shot and killed 47-year-old Jeremiah Paul Scanlon after Scanlon fired at the trooper Friday night at Valley of the Rogue State Park near Interstate 5. "Number one, we’re just grateful that he’s alive," Neville’s mother, Maria Neville of Medford, said Monday. On routine patrol in the park, Neville approached Scanlon’s pickup truck at 8:40 p.m. when the truck stopped by his patrol car, which was parked near the boat ramp. Scanlon asked Neville for directions, but when the trooper asked for identification, Scanlon pulled a .38-caliber revolver out of his clothing and shot Neville. Neville returned fire, and Scanlon ran away. When officers arrived at the park, they found Scanlon dead about 35 yards fromthe two vehicles, investigators said. An autopsy later determined that he died from a single shot from Neville’s .40-caliber Glock. The bullet entered the front, right side of his torso, investigators said. Advertisement The bullet from Scanlon’s gun struck Neville about a half-inch above his bullet-proof vest, broke his collar bone and lodged underneath his shoulder blade, Maria Neville said. Neville was treated in the intensive care unit at Rogue Valley Medical Center but was moved out of intensive care Sunday. Maria Neville said her 33-year-old son had difficulty breathing and was experiencing a high level of pain following the shooting. Physicians elected to leave the bullet intact and monitor its position rather than perform surgery, she said. Neville was resting at home Monday evening, said his wife, Connie Neville. The couple live in the Medford area with their two sons, ages 5 and 7. Maria Neville said her heart went into her throat when she heard of the shooting from one of her son’s fellow troopers. But the family has since received so much support from state police that she hasn’t had a chance to dwell on her own fears. "All the patrolmen said, ‘Your son did everything right,’ "she said. One of the hardest tasks was telling Neville’s sons about their father’s ordeal, Maria Neville said. The family was encouraged, however, by an unannounced visit Sunday from Gov. Ted Kulongoski, who talked to the boys, she said. Two OSP colonels — the agency’s seconds-in-command — accompanied the governor from Salem. "Nick Neville is a credit to the state police and an asset to Oregon," the governor said in a prepared statement Monday. "When he was confronted with a life-threatening situation, he remembered his training and reacted in an appropriate manner. I wish him a speedy recovery, as do all Oregonians." Preliminary information indicated that Neville’s actions were justified, police officials said. Detectives with several Jackson County police agencies continue to investigate the shooting, which will be presented to a grand jury to determine if Neville’s actions were lawful. District Attorney Mark Huddleston said a date has not been set for that hearing. Scanlon was wanted on warrants issued by the FBI charging him with a March 15 armed bank robbery in Las Vegas, Nev. He also was linked to an armed bank robbery in Reno, Nev., on March 19. The gun he used Friday had been reported stolen in Las Vegas as had the license plates on his vehicle, said Capt. Joe Puckett of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. Investigators Monday were writing a search warrant for Scanlon’s truck and awaiting a more detailed interview with Neville, who will likely walk investigators through the park to illustrate the events that took place, said OSP Lt. Kurt Barthel. A Rogue Valley native, Neville started work with the state police in 1999 and has been stationed at the agency’s regional headquarters in Central Point since May 2003. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times