SoCal Chris sends: I thought you’d be sad to hear of this story especially, if you haven’t already. I know it’s not political per se, but I just want to gain more support for the family and fellow officers. This has hit the community really hard. This man was REALLY well-liked and I believe his wife just had a baby.
Here’s a link to the local t.v. news story, and a link below to a Facebook page that has been started on Officer Robert Ribke’s behalf. It appears so far that the perp (who was killed by SWAT, thank God) sabotaged the first responders by starting a house fire. REALLY makes me sad and very mad.
Thanks, SoCal Chris
The community is mourning an Oregon City reserve police officer who was shot and killed at a burning home Sunday.
Robert Libke, who had been with the department since 2009, was 41 years old.
Libke and a regular Oregon City officer responded to 841 Linn Ave. at 1 p.m. on Sunday after getting reports of an armed man at a house on fire.
The armed man, who deputies have since identified as 88-year-old Lawrence Cambra, confronted Libke and shot him, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office said.
Officers and a SWAT team then rushed to the scene in what was described as a “massive police response.” Neighboring homes were evacuated, and firefighters also left the area until SWAT could move in. Other neighbors were informed via reverse 911 to stay in their homes.
A woman who lives nearby said Cambra tried to break into her home.
“He pounded on the house, on my back door, and thank God I had it locked,” said neighbor Pam Laird.
While rescuing Libke, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s SWAT team encountered Cambra and shot him, deputies said. Cambra died at the scene.
Meanwhile, a LifeFlight helicopter rushed Libke to a Portland hospital. A medical examiner confirmed his death Monday afternoon.
A sheriff’s spokesman described the current investigation as a massive three-part effort. The ATF, Oregon State Police and Clackamas Fire District are investigating the fire, which is believed to have been set intentionally.
The other two parts of the investigation – the shootings of Libke and of Cambra – are being led by the Clackamas County Major Crimes Team.
Sgt. Robert Wurpes, of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, said the news of one of their own being shot is weighing heavy on officers’ hearts as they carry out the investigation.
“At the same time you are dealing with the shock and emotion of an officer being shot, a fellow worker being shot, we’ve got to get to work. There are things we need to do. It’s difficult,” he said.
Neighbors said Cambra was a problem for years and even threatened to shoot people who came on his property.
A year ago, his girlfriend filed a restraining order against him, according to court records. The order stated, “He was going to get a gun and get rid of a few people and then himself.”
Just two weeks after filing it, however, the woman dismissed the order and moved back in with Cambra.
“He wasn’t a very nice man, ever,” Laird said.
Another neighbor said they never thought he would go this far.
“It was always a lot of threats,” said Dianne Nelson. “But it was never really anything we thought that could come of it until yesterday.”
The community is remembering the fallen officer far more fondly. Police, firefighters and community members lined highway overpasses for Libke’s procession Monday evening, as his body was taken from Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland to Lincoln Memorial Park Funeral Home in southeast Portland.
Several of his neighbors watched the procession from the Holgate Boulevard overpass – just a few blocks from Libke’s southeast Portland home.
Neighbors said he made significant contributions to their area by starting a neighborhood watch program after some homes were hit by burglars.
“He was very genuine and was a great neighbor to all of us,” said Sandy Smith, who lives on his block. “He brought us out of our comfort area and made us watch out for each other.”
Neighbors said Libke’s wife is pregnant and have pledged to help her in any way they can. They also said she has family in the area.
One correction or two: Officer Ribke’s wife is still pregnant, not having had her baby yet. Also, as happens with the media, they reported originally that SWAT took out Cambra– I’ve received confirmation from the Oregon City Police Dept. that Cambra died by suicide with a single gunshot to the chest. Of course they have an ongoing investigation currently. This is part of a flash alert from Oregon City Police Dept.:
Robert Allen Libke, age 41, was sworn-in as an Oregon City Police Department Reserve Police Officer on March 3, 2010. Shortly after 1 p.m. on Sunday, November 3, 2013 a fire was reported at 841 Linn Avenue in Oregon City, Oregon. During the initial dispatch, a report was broadcast of an armed male at the fire scene. Oregon City Police and Clackamas Fire District #1 crews were dispatched — with the police sent to deal with the reported armed individual. The first responding unit was a two-man unit with one regular and one reserve Oregon City Police officer. Reserve Officer Libke was reportedly confronted by the suspect – at which time the suspect shot Officer Libke. He died the next day at a Portland-area hospital from the wound he sustained in the shooting.
I have often said that the soldiers on the front lines are keeping me free, and the officers on the street are keeping me safe. I live in an area where there are several officers around me, and I feel very safe. One advantage of small town living is that we don’t usually have things like this happen. If it does, it has much more impact on the community than the big cities, because everybody knows them.
The ones on the front lines are never paid enough, no matter how much they are paid. Too many kids are having to grow up without a dad or mom because of violence like this.
I wonder if the officers who responded were warned of the man’s violent threats, or were they not reported to police by neighbors. In today’s violent world, I can’t understand anyone NOT reporting someone making threats against others. I’m guessing that the cops new Cambra very well. If not, why weren’t the threats reported?
Another guardian of the American public’s safety was killed in the line of duty this past week: TSA agent Gerardo Hernandez, who has been described as a loving father, a devoted husband, and generally good guy. I haven’t seen a word around here about him, nor about his killer, Paul Anthony Ciancia, so I’ve remedied what must surely have been an oversight.
@Smorgasbord: You’re right.Restraining order had been placed against this guy. Cops were told an armed man was at the burning structure,
88 years old looking for death by cop while taking at least one out with him.
How could you let this old guy jump you. Very shoddy police work.
@Richard Wheeler:
Bullshit
Every community has their well known nuts known by the police and fire department but if a building is on fire every first responders first instinct is to ensure no one is inside and in danger. That’s how we are trained. There were reports of an armed man, what are the police supposed to do? Run away? No we go in and deal with the problem.
Age doesn’t mean a damn thing when he has a weapon in his possession. A 88 year old man can’t hide? Can’t lie in wait? Do you think this man was in a wheelchair or something? No one knows how he got the drop on the officer at this time but to call it shoddy at the outset is just wrong.
@Curt: I hear you. The old guy wanted to die. Too bad he had to take the police officer with him.
Maybe this offers further insight into this tragic situation…it’s an official statement from Officer Libke’s family as well as the Chief of Police in Oregon City submitted today at 3:28 p.m.:
The following is a statement from the family of Officer Rob Libke:
“Our family would like to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the unbelievable acts of kindness and sacrifice by Rob’s fellow officers, our friends, and many people who we may never meet in person to thank. The community, Oregon City Police Department and their families, and many other departments are unselfishly giving their time and placing their lives on hold to help us get through this horrible time.
Rob loved putting on the uniform and helping the police department serve their community. He will always be remembered in our hearts and minds as a dedicated husband and beautiful family man. We will miss him deeply.”
The family continues to ask for privacy during this difficult period.
Statement from Chief James Band:
First, I want to thank the entire community for its overwhelming support of our department and our officers. I have come to the conclusion that the words “thank you” don’t begin to accurately convey our gratitude. Our hearts, prayers, and support are with Officer Rob Libke’s wife and family as they are dealing with this tremendous loss. I also want to thank every one of my officers and our public safety partners who responded on November 3, 2013. You have my thanks and support for your professionalism during an unimaginable crisis.
During such incidents, officers are required to make split-second decisions that have tremendous implications. Such things have life-changing ramifications for people involved in every aspect of this case.
A recent FBI study counted 15 officer deaths by ambush in each year of 2011, 2010 and 2009. The study said that ambush situations were the biggest category of circumstance behind 543 officers feloniously killed between 2002 and 2011 (23 %). During deadly-force encounters, officers are trained to balance the needs of saving injured people or first responders while ensuring no one else is killed in the process.
I believe the responding officers took responsible actions under extremely dangerous circumstances to prevent further loss of life to other first responders and citizens in our community. They have my unwavering gratitude and support. I am confident that the investigation, ONCE COMPLETE, will provide the public with the accurate information they need to help them understand what occurred during this chaotic situation.
CURT
I thought about you also in danger at your work,
i feel for these families and friends heartbroken,
yes that man is a mad man, did you notice the explosion of those crimes THESES LAST YEARS,
I notice it, and don”t think to be wrong,
OBAMA has planted the seeds of HATE AND REVENGE in this AMERICA
which has her base in TOLERANCE, LOVE FOR OTHER, COMPASSION, GENEROSITY, SEEKING FREEDOM, AND CREATIVITY, TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF ALL,AND
for all the WORLD, they proved it with their pain and blood spilled all around this GLOBE, AND INSIDE HERE,ALL AROUND US OFFICER OF THE LAW GETTING INJURED AND KILLED, ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO BE A STORY TO READ EVERY DAY OR SO, BUT IT’S WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW,
THE SEEDS OF HATE HAVE SPROUT HIGH AND WE MUST REVERSE IT AT ONCE,
@Richard Wheeler: #4
Why are you kicking a man when he is down? I don’t know any more about the shooting, except from the post. I will leave final judgment on the case to the ones investigating it.
Richard Wheeler
HAPPY 238 TH BIRTHDAY MARINES, AND THOSE SCATTERED ALL AROUND THE GLOBE MANY WISH FOR YOU,
HOPE FOR MANY MORE
CURT
SAME SPECIAL WISH FOR YOU MARINE AND OFFICER OF THE LAW,