Foundation Dedicates Permanent Memorial to Chief Woody Whetstone

On June 17, 2026, the Junction City Police Foundation dedicated a permanent memorial to Chief Woodrow “Woody” Whetstone, 65 years after he was killed in the line of duty.

While Chief Whetstone is inscribed on the U.S. Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. and on the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial in Salem, there had never been a proper memorial to Woody here in his own community. That has now been remedied.

At 12:30 PM, with many of Woody’s family present along with about 75 citizens, firefighters, and current and retired law enforcement officers, the memorial was unveiled by Jessica Whetstone-Sutherland, one of Chief Whetstone’s great-grandchildren.

The memorial was commissioned and funded by the Junction City Police Foundation through generous local tax-deductible donations. The City of Junction City contributed the installation and the lighting.

The piece was built by local metal artist Wade Skinner, who was 14 years old when Chief Whetstone was killed. Wade’s father and Chief Whetstone had coffee together frequently, and Woody left an indelible impression on the young man. Now 80, Wade was inspired by that memory throughout the 14-hour workdays he spent building the five-foot by ten-foot memorial.

As a community, we came together to honor a brave lawman.