After an almost six-week investigation, the violent crimes unit of the Eugene, Ore., Police Department has determined that the gunshot that killed a Portland & Western Railroad engineer at the Eugene railyard on Feb. 6 was self-inflicted, The Register-Guard reports.
Ronald Leo Langlois, 44, of Springfield, died of a single gunshot wound to the chest from a .22-caliber handgun that was found at the scene, Capt. Chuck Tilby said. It was initially considered a possible homicide.
Police were called to the industrial area of West Second Avenue and Cleveland Street in west Eugene shortly before 5 a.m. Feb. 6 after a co-worker found Langlois body near the railroad tracks. Police began the case as a homicide investigation because it was not immediately clear that Langlois had committed suicide, Tilby said.
The gun was found about 10 feet from his body and was submerged in water, making fingerprint analysis difficult, and none were found on the gun, he said.
Langlois body was found on the ground near the front of a stopped Portland & Western Railroad train that Langlois had been driving, Tilby said. A bullet-shell casing was found at the scene, but it took weeks for forensics tests to determine that it came from the same gun, Tilby said.
After several weeks of interviewing family and co-workers, the case began to look more like a suicide, Tilby said. Langlois actions preceding his death were consistent with someone who commits suicide, he said.
Langlois began training to become a railroad engineer in 2003 and had been driving trains since 2005. He was married and the father of three children. His widow, Alicia Langlois, sent The Register-Guard this statement Thursday:
The children and I are devastated in a whole new way. The disbelief is unimaginable. To cope, I keep telling myself that the man who loved his children and I, was not suicidal, but in a moment of overwhelming emotions took his life because he felt there was no other choice. At this point we are simply thankful for all the family, friends and strangers who have reached out to us. And, are hoping to go on with Gods blessings.
A memorial service for Ronald Langlois was held in Springfield on Feb. 12.
Remembrances may be sent to the Ronald Langlois Memorial Fund for his children at Pacific Cascade Federal Credit Union.
(This item appeared March 19, 2010, in the Register-Guard.)
Man, Ya'all take the cake. What a fine bunch of Amature Detectives.... It's an obvious ploy by the Police to make the gunman believe the pressure is off and he's gotten away with it. Next thing he'll be bragging about it to someone who will turn him in. Classic case of reverse psychology... SShhheeeesshh.
Detective Pipes thinks it unlikely he stepped out on the from of the locomotive and was murdered with a 22 handgun, which the suspect then hid 10ft from the body.
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DJ will never be the Republicunt nominee. Permalynx this. Snippy 2/2/2016
