In the last two months, the Multnomah County Department of Community Justice (DCJ) has lost two loved members of its probation and parole team. Erick Montgomery, 45, died of a heart attack on November 24 and Diane Wade, 43, died after having a seizure on October 10. Both parole officers had been with DCJ for over 10 years.
“It was a tremendous loss to our North office. Both Erick and Diane exemplified the qualities of a great parole officer—compassion and accountability,” said DCJ Director Scott Taylor.
Wade and Montgomery were both very involved with the local African American community—Montgomery worked with gang members and Wade ran a parole program for African American women. Both officers were well-liked and respected by colleagues and clients alike.
In 1999, Wade joined the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office as a Drug and Alcohol Specialist. Just over a year later, she began her career as a Parole and Probation Officer with DCJ, most recently working with the Adult Services Division. Born in New York, Wade attended Jefferson High School and graduated in 1985. She had one daughter, Alexandria.
Montgomery was born in Kansas City, KS in 1965. He played football for Oregon State University, where he graduated in 1988. During this year’s Civil War game, they honored Montgomery’s memory by displaying his picture on the stadium screen with a moment of silence, followed by thunderous applause. He is survived by his wife, two teenage daughters, and his parents. Funeral services for Montgomery were held on Monday, Dec. 3 at the Tigard Church of God.