Friends, Family Honor Deputy on Birthday
RUTH LIAOStatesman Journal
October 6, 2007
Kevin Fredinburg wears his message on his back, and he wants a response wherever he goes in public.
"Wanted by the Oregon State Police," the gray T-shirt reads. "Alfredo De Jesus Ascencio."
Fredinburg said he made the shirt a few weeks ago to emphasize his plea to find De Jesus-Ascencio, a Woodburn man who was driving the vehicle that crashed into his brother's patrol car in June.
Marion County Sheriff's Deputy Kelly James Fredinburg, 33, died June 16 on Highway 99E north of Gervais. The crash also killed Oscar Ascencio-Amaya, 19, a passenger in the car driven by De Jesus-Ascencio.
On Friday, members of law enforcement and the Fredinburg family gathered on the deputy's birthday to garner public support.
Weeks after the crash, a Marion County grand jury indicted De Jesus-Ascencio on two counts of criminally negligent homicide. Sometime after Aug. 9, De Jesus- Ascencio disappeared, Oregon police spokesman Lt. Gregg Hastings said.
A $1,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the location, arrest and conviction of De Jesus-Ascencio, Hastings said.
Pop-Tarts and cashews -- some of Fredinburg's favorite snacks -- were among roses and other gifts laid next to the crash site.
Kevin said wearing the shirt helps, but finding the suspect would give closure to the family.
"We put Kelly to rest, but we haven't in our hearts," Kevin said.
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Driver Still Sought in Deputy's Fatal Crash
On Birthday of Officer, Family Asks for Public's HelpALAN GUSTAFSONStatesman Journal
October 5, 2007
Today would have been Kelly Fredinburg's 34th birthday.
Almost four months after the Marion County deputy was killed in a fiery crash, family members are asking for public help to find the man who was driving the vehicle that collided with Fredinburg's patrol car in June.
"We just want to raise the public's awareness, let people know we're still looking for this guy," said Kevin Fredinburg, Kelly's brother. "He's still on the run. It only takes one person to see him and turn him in."
Police are seeking Alfredo De Jesus-Ascencio, 20. The Woodburn man disappeared in August after a Marion County grand jury indicted him on two counts of criminally negligent homicide in connection with the June 16 crash on Highway 99E near Gervais.
Also killed in the crash was Oscar Ascencio-Amaya, 19, of Woodburn. He was a passenger in the car driven by De Jesus-Ascencio.
De Jesus-Ascencio was critically injured in the crash and was hospitalized for several weeks at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital. He was released in mid-July and has used a walker because of his injuries.
The Oregon State Police and the U.S. Marshal's Service are working together to track down De Jesus-Ascencio, Lt. Gregg Hastings, a state police spokesman, said Thursday.
The search "hasn't really gone cold," Hastings said. "It's very active."
Fredinburg hopes that De Jesus-Ascencio will find the courage to turn himself in.
"Part of me is not mad at him because it was an accident," Fredinburg said. "But a good part of me is pissed off because he's on the run. He needs to be a man, grow up and deal with this."
Alfredo De Jesus-Ascencio is Hispanic, 5 feet 4 inches tall and 140 pounds with dark hair and brown eyes. Anyone who knows where he is should call Oregon State Police at (800) 452-7888.
_________________________Deputy Kelly J. Fredinburg