A public memorial was held Saturday for an Ashland police officer who died from a medical condition while responding to a call on March 2.

The service for Officer Malcus Williams II was preceded by a motorcade of police cars, firetrucks and about 100 other public safety vehicles driving slowly down Ashland's Siskiyou Boulevard and other streets to Ashland High School's gymnasium.

Williams, 51, had been a member of the Ashland Police Department for 21 years. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Ona, three daughters, Savannah, Georgia and Brooklyn, and two sisters, Cindy and Amy.

Williams was remembered at the memorial for volunteering as a football coach and as the DJ at Ashland Middle School graduations for 15 years.

His daughters Brooklyn and Savannah sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Colors of the Wind" for mourners, who included members of law enforcement agencies in Oregon and Washington state.

The Portland Police Highland Guard entered the gym solemnly playing bagpipes at the beginning of the memorial, then performed "Amazing Grace" after Ashland Police Chief Tighe O'Meara, Father Sean Weeks and others spoke.

Williams, who was born Aug. 14, 1966 in Eugene, went into medical distress soon after arriving at an undisclosed call a little before 7:30 p.m. on March 2. He collapsed near the home he was responding to, police said. The department has only described the circumstances that led to his death as a "major medical event."

Other officers and emergency responders rendered aid to Williams, but he died about an hour and a half later at Providence Medford Medical Center.

The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training announced Friday that Williams would be posthumously awarded the state's Medal of Ultimate Sacrifice. The medal is awarded to families of law enforcement officers who died or were killed while in the line of duty.

Williams' family was presented with the medal by members of the Multiagency Honor Guard.

Williams is the third Ashland Police Officer to die while on duty, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. Officer Victor Knott and Officer Samuel Prescott died in separate shootings in 1931.

Ashland police said donations in Williams' honor can be made through the Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation or at any U.S. Bank Branch by referencing the foundation and the Officer Malcus Williams fund.

-- Everton Bailey Jr. and Janet Eastman

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey

503-799-8739; @janeteastman



