As Charles Dozé neared retirement age 11 years ago, he instead switched careers, becoming a civil deputy with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Now 69, Dozé loves the job and serving his community, family members said Sunday, but it nearly cost him his life.
Dozé was shot seven times — in the head, face, arms and torso — while serving an eviction notice at a Tualatin apartment complex Wednesday.
Dozé’s wife and two children, along with other family members and dozens of law enforcement officers from across Oregon, have been by his side as he recovers at the hospital.
“He’s healing really well,” said nephew Adam Khosroabadi, who serves on the Milwaukie City Council. “It’s incredible. He’s already trying to figure out what he’s going to do next, and if there’s anything he can do to be back on the force. But he knows it’s going to be a long road.”
Despite his injuries, Dozé is in good spirits, his nephew said. He described his uncle as a selfless person with a strong moral compass and a passion for helping others. Dozé helped raise Khosroabadi and his younger brother, and has a strong connection with his family, Khosroabadi said.
The former BMW salesman and finance professional is one of five civil deputies in the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Dozé serves and enforces court orders, prepares reports, tows abandoned vehicles and manages seized property, the sheriff’s office said. Civil deputies are sworn members of the sheriff’s office who wear uniforms and carry weapons.
Even while confined to a hospital bed, Dozé was still checking on his family and offering emotional support, his nephew said. Khosroabadi has been struggling with a death in the family, and he said his uncle has been helping him cope with the loss.
“He called me over to his bedside, and reached his hand out,” Khosroabadi said. “This is a man who just took seven gunshots. He tells me, ‘Just know that I’m here for you guys. I’m not 600 miles away, I’m right here. If you ever need anything, I’m not going anywhere.’”
Family and law enforcement have been visiting Dozé around the clock, and he has been overwhelmed by the support, Khosroabadi said. A GoFundMe for Dozé and his family has raised over $54,000.
Dozé was shot while serving an eviction notice to 34-year-old Kristafer James Graves. He was accompanied by two other deputies.
The deputies went to Graves’ apartment in The Timbers apartment complex shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday to serve a court-ordered eviction notice. Graves fired at the deputies from inside his apartment 20 minutes later, striking Dozé, police said.
At least one deputy returned fire, the sheriff’s office said. Graves was found dead in the bathroom of his second-floor apartment just before 1 p.m. Investigators do not know whether Graves was shot by deputies or if the injury was self-inflicted, police said.
Dozé was transported to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center by helicopter in critical condition.
“It wasn’t a traffic stop, or a robbery,” Khosroabadi said. “It was an eviction. I was speaking with another deputy, and he said that you usually post the sign on the door and two hours later they’re gone. It doesn’t usually happen like this.”
Khosroabadi said his uncle has been an inspiration to him, and that the Washington County community should know how much Dozé cares.
“Who, at that age, says, ‘After everything else I’ve done, I’m going to put my life on the line,’” said Khosroabadi, who is a Marine veteran. “It sounds cliche, but we hear that a lot, ‘They love helping others.’ It shouldn’t be something we get comfortable with hearing, because that’s so rare that someone wants to do that.”
– Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744
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