Harvey Allen Coles

It is with great sadness the Lincoln City Police Department reports the death of retired Lincoln City Police Lieutenant Harvey Coles.  Lt. Coles passed away on July 19, 2015 after a 17 year battle with cancer.

Harvey Coles served the community of Lincoln City as a police officer for 33 years. He first joined the department in about 1965 as a part time officer and also served on the ambulance crew as an EMT. In 1973 he became a full time deputy with the Jefferson County Sherriff’s Office, but returned to LCPD in 1974. He rose through the ranks eventually becoming the Lieutenant and second in command of LCPD, retiring in 1997. Lt. Coles also served as interim Chief when the city was looking for a new chief, but he never wanted the job himself.

Lt. Coles was known as an officer who believed in being fair but firm. He would go out of his way to help those in need and did so often. If he needed to take someone to jail he did, but was not one to hold a grudge against anyone and always maintained his integrity.

Harvey was born August 27, 1941 in Albany Oregon to Ward and Irene (Goin) Coles. He graduated from Jefferson High School and joined the Navy. He served four years and was stationed at Sand Point Naval Base in Seattle, Washington. He then joined the Lincoln City Police Department in 1965 serving 33 years before retiring.

He is survived by his wife Jeannie; daughter Traci and her husband Jeff Hamilton; Son Todd Coles; Sister Dina Madison, Grandsons Jeffrey, Matthew and Michael Hamilton; and many nieces and nephews. Harvey was preceded in death by his parents Ward and Irene Cole.

A memorial service for Lt. Coles will be held at 3:00 PM on Monday August 3, 2015 at Wapiti Park , 2118 S. Drift Creek Rd. in Lincoln City.  

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