On Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at 6:47 a.m., Central Precinct officers responded to the report of a suspect waiving a knife and hatchet near Northwest 5th Avenue and Northwest Everett Street.
As officers responded to the area, additional community members contacted 9-1-1 to report the man was waiving the knife and hatchet at vehicles being driven in the area. Officers arrived in the area and located a man that matched the suspect's description. Officers attempted to contact the suspect; however, he did not follow the officers' instructions and walk away from the officers. In order to ensure the safety of the officers, community and suspect, the officers devised another plan to make contact with the suspect. In the area of Tom McCall Waterfront Park near Northwest Couch Street officers took the suspect into custody without incident.
During the investigation, officers located a knife and hatchet near where the suspect was taken into custody (photographs provided with this press release).
The suspect has been identified as 30-year-old Joseph L. Dedman. Dedman was lodged at the Multnomah County Jail on charges of Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree and Possession of Weapons in a Park. Upon lodging Dedman at the Multnomah County Jail, an officer asked jail mental health professionals to assess Dedman for possible mental health influence in relation to this investigation.
Based on information gathered during this investigation, officers believe Dedman may have been involved in incidents earlier in the morning in which he threatened passing vehicles and community members in the Old Town/Chinatown and Downtown Portland areas. Anyone that may have been threatened by Dedman or who has information about Dedman should contact the Portland Police Bureau non-emergency line at 503-823-3333 and reference Portland Police case number 18-241347.
Photo below: knife and hatchet