Aspiring officer's death in motorcycle accident in Portland Oregon

Courtesy of Self Enhancement, Inc.Eric Webb with his wife, Siyonna, on their wedding day in August 2006.Eric Webb had passed the last hurdle to become an officer for the Portland Police Bureau, where his strong ties to Northeast Portland would have counted as a plus for both the bureau and the community.

The ties included at least 40 kids at Beaumont Middle School that Webb carried as part of his caseload for Self Enhancement Inc., the North Portland non-profit group devoted to helping children realize their full potential. He was scheduled to leave SEI this fall to attend the police academy in Salem.

"He had given his notice, but he was torn about the decision to leave," said Lisa Manning, assistant to the president of SEI, where Webb worked for the past three years.But just after 11 p.m. last night, the 24-year-old father of two and several friends were riding their motorcycles in the 3400 block of North Willis Boulevard. Witnesses told police Webb was performing stunts on his 2005 Suzuki, including riding sidesaddle, when he lost control, struck a curb and was thrown from the bike.

Despite wearing a helmet, Webb died of massive head and neck injuries. Speed and alcohol were not factors in the crash, police said today.It's a tremendous loss," said Sean Murray, the police bureau's human resources manager. "During the background check it was obvious that he was very popular and held in high regard."

Murray said Webb took the first test to become an officer in October 2007, and had passed the psychological, background and medical evaluations. He was set to attend the academy with nine other candidates beginning Nov. 6.

On his application, Webb wrote that interacting with residents "will give me a better chance of preserving peace in the community."Each day I work I should be trying to focus on specific needs... as an officer I can't know those needs unless I know people in my community."Murray said Webb, who grew up in the Los Angeles metro area, moved to Eugene in 2001, and then graduated from Portland State University in 2005 with a degree in mathematics. He is survived by his wife, Siyonna, and two daughters, ages 1 and 2.

SEI brought in grief counselors for students and staff members today. Many wrote tributes to Webb on a makeshift memorial.