"Diamond" Jim Purcell (1909 – 1968) was an officer, chief detective, and then the Chief of Police in

Portland Portland most commonly refers to: * Portland, Oregon, the largest city in the state of Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States * Portland, Maine, the largest city in the state of Maine, in the New England region of the northeas ...

Oregon Oregon () is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of its eastern boundary with Idaho. T ...

from January 1, 1953 to December 31, 1956. Purcell was an associate of Portland

mob boss A crime boss, also known as a crime lord, Don, gang lord, gang boss, mob boss, kingpin, godfather, crime mentor or criminal mastermind, is a person in charge of a criminal organization. Description A crime boss typically has absolute or near ...

Jim Elkins, and he helped protect Portland's

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racket and other organized crime activity in the city. In this regard, Purcell was not unique among public servants in Portland, many of whom did business with Elkins. He was indicted, but Portland mayor Fred L. Peterson declined to remove him as chief. Purcell, later chief detective and police chief, was clearly linked with mobster Jim Elkins and described later as "He was very good at derailing investigations and covering up murders. Jim Elkins... paid Purcell well for his services." Purcell resigned as chief at the end of 1956, returning to the rank of captain and taking charge of the city jail. He was succeeded by William J. Hilbruner, who was appointed by incoming mayor

Terry Schrunk Terrence Doyle Schrunk (March 10, 1913 – March 4, 1975) was an American politician who served as the mayor for the city of Portland, Oregon, 1957–1973, a length tying with George Luis Baker, who also served 16 years (1917–1933). Schr ...

References

* MacColl, E. Kimbark, ''The Growth of a City: Power and Politics in Portland, Oregon 1915 to 1950''. Portland Georgian Press, 1979. * Lansing, Jewell Beck, ''Portland: people, politics and power, 1851-2001'', Oregon State University Press, 2003, * Stanford, Phil, ''Portland Confidential'' 1909 births Chiefs of the Portland Police Bureau Place of birth missing Labor relations in Oregon 1968 deaths {{US-crime-bio-stub