Chris Burley graduated from the University of Portland in 2002. On March 16, Burley along with two others were recognized as outstanding UP alums by President Rev. William Beauchamp, C.S.C.
Burley is an officer with the Portland Police Department, working with the Gang Enforcement unit. In June 2010, Burley was shot in the line of duty by a mentally ill person during a routine traffic stop. After his recovery, Burley began working on a pilot program that would allow a mobile crisis unit to identify people who suffer from mental illness and connect them with mental health services before a crisis can develop. Through his work after the shooting, Burley believes in the importance of building relationships with those he meets during the job. He has gotten to know the mother of the man who shot him, which has given him additional compassion and insight.
Burley’s story was featured on Portland’s KGW-TV. Watch the story.
