Suspect in Green's murder former resident
Tim Waddell was taken into custody by Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilbertson (Photos by Illinois Valley News)
From our weekly issue dated December 12, 2007
Tom Green, 70, a former Cave Junction mayor who helped youth with accommodations at Tom’s Home -- including the suspect in his death -- died on the S. Sawyer Avenue pavement in front of his home after an assault on Monday, Dec. 10.
The suspect in the incident, reported at 12:13 p.m., identified himself as Tim Waddell, 19, who had lived with Green some years ago. Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilbertson confirmed the ID.
Waddell, described as a homeless person, was arrested on a charge of murder and placed in the county jail. He was taken into custody without incident at the scene.
Two witnesses to the assault, Ricci Coultas and Angelique Miller, stated that they shouted at Waddell to stop the attack, and that Waddell told them God had spoken to him to say that Green was a sinner who had to be dealt with.
Witnesses told officers that Waddell was known to use methamphetamine and marijuana. “He recently spoke of hearing voices in his head telling him to do things,” Gilbertson said.
The sheriff said that a 911 call-taker was told that two men were fighting in the street and that one was banging the other’s head on the asphalt. He continued that witnesses said Green had left his home at 130 S. Sawyer Ave. and was confronted by the suspect.
“Without provocation,” said the sheriff, “Waddell grabbed Green and forced him to the ground. He then straddled Green’s body and began banging Green’s head against the asphalt.”
Emergency personnel from Illinois Valley Fire District responded to the scene. Green died in front of his home on S. Sawyer Avenue. (Photos by Illinois Valley News)
There was a pool of blood under Green’s head, and he was lying on his back. It was not clear whether he had tried to defend himself.
Waddell, standing near a utility pole on the other side of the street from Green’s body, kept a white cloth in front of his face, breathing into it. He said that there was poison in the air and that he did not want to be affected by it.
At one point, a woman who Waddell said was his sister approached him, and she shouted obscenities, saying “What the ---- is wrong with you?!” She was advised by Kris Sherman, Illinois Valley Fire District (IVFD) maintenance battalion chief, to remain calm and not exacerbate the situation. Sherman stood by with the suspect until lawmen arrived.
Sherman and other IVFD fire-fighting medics had responded to the site and worked to resuscitate Green. Some bystanders were pressed into service under their direction to assist with CPR and keep a bag of saline solution aloft.
Under its protocol, American Medical Response (AMR) staged in the area, and responded directly into the scene only after law enforcement personnel arrived from Grants Pass approximately 30 minutes after the assault was reported.
Gilbertson was the first officer to arrive. On his heels were two Oregon State Police troopers, and the three took control of the scene. Investigation was undertaken, and officers were at the scene for a considerable time.
Green was not transported by AMR. His body subsequently was covered. He was declared dead at the scene, the sheriff said. After some time, Gilbertson asked for Illinois Valley Funeral Directors to respond. An autopsy is to be conducted.
The sheriff stated that investigators learned that Thursday, Dec. 6, Waddell was at Green’s home with other teen-agers, when “he suddenly attacked Green; punching him in the face, resulting in two black eyes.”
At the time, sheriff’s deputies were unable to locate Waddell, who fled after Green phoned 911.
A neighbor, Mary Orton, said that Green had told her Saturday, Dec. 8 that he had located Waddell and advised the sheriff’s office. But no deputies were available.
A longtime Cave Junction resident Green was known for walking about the town and greeting most everyone with, “And how are you this lovely day?” He would then conclude any conversation with, “Have a wonderful day.”
He had served as CJ mayor from March 1995 to December ‘96. Green was serving a term as council president, and became mayor after “Sully” Sullivan resigned. Subsequently, Green ran for the mayoral post, but was defeated by Greg Gutierrez.
Besides operating Tom’s Home at no charge to young persons, Green was known for his city volunteerism. He had served on the Charter Committee that drafted the current city document; had been a member of the city planning commission; and was a veteran of the city Budget Committee.
He was severely injured several years ago when struck by a car one night at Redwood Hwy. and River Street. After a long recovery period he continued his volunteerism. Said one observer, “He made good use of his time; he’ll be missed.”
Sheriff’s detectives ask that anyone with information that could aid the investigation phone the Major Crime Unit at 474-5153.
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