Oregon State Trooper Shot in Exchange that Left Suspect Dead

An Oregon State Trooper is fighting for his life after being shot chasing a homicide suspect. The suspect was shot and killed in the exchange.

The trooper — 32-year-old Nic Cedarberg — was shot several times and brought to Oregon Health Sciences University where he underwent surgery again Monday morning.

The incident started just after 10 p.m. Christmas night.

King City Police responded to a report of a disturbance — and possible shots fired — at 11900 block of Southwest King James Place. They were backed by police from Tigard.

They found a woman dead, apparently a murder victim.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office says that officers spotted 30-year-old James Tylka driving his vehicle in Sherwood. Tylka was married to the woman who was found dead.

She has been identified as Kate Armand. They had a child together.

Officers from the State Police, Hillsboro, Sherwood and Tualatin were involved in the chase. It ended on Southwest Grimm Lane south of Sherwood.

There was an exchange of gunfire.

Tylka was shot and killed. Cederberg was wounded and taken to OHSU. He has been with the State Police for seven years and is an Army veteran. Cederberg is assigned to the State Police's North Plains precinct.

Tylka is a former Beaverton Police Cadet, according to department spokesman Mike Rowe.

Tylka was in the program — which has been disbanded but was for people between 16 and 21 — between 2004 and 2006, according to Rowe, who added that cadets are volunteers and not armed.

"This was a program to give youth who are interested in Law enforcement an inside look," Rowe said. "Once a cadet reached the age of 21, they could no longer be a cadet.

"I do not know why Tylka left the program."

Court records indicate Tylka was married and has an ex-wife with whom he had custody and child support issues that made their way before a judge.

Well wishes immediately started pouring in from nearby police departments.

The Washington County Major Crimes Team is investigating both incidents at this time.

The sheriff's office says that this is an ongoing investigation with multiple crime scenes and multiple agencies involved. More details will be released as the investigation unfolds and detectives are able to confirm the sequence of events.

The State Police, while asking for privacy for Trooper Cederberg's family, said people could send well wishes:

By email to OSP.social@state.or.us, or

by mail

Oregon State Police

Attn: Trooper Cederberg

3565 Trelstad Ave SE

Salem, OR 97317

Photo via Oregon State Police