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Donald Robert Laabs
Incident
Detective Sergeant Donald Laabs was shot and killed while returning home in his cruiser. Witnesses observed him exit the highway in the direction he would normally travel home. Approximately two hours later, he was found shot to death in his police vehicle in the southbound lanes of I-25, near Arvada Street, in Colorado Springs. He had been shot eight times with a .22 caliber handgun. Detective Laabs was a United States Army veteran. He worked as an undercover narcotics officer with the Manitou Springs Police Department. He was survived by his wife and two young sons. On the day of his death, he had been promoted to detective sergeant in the Manitou Springs Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two young sons.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Donald is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Detective Sergeant Laabs served with the Manitou Springs Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Manitou Springs community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Donald Robert Laabs served in the U.S. Army (1964â1967) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Donald is the only officer of Manitou Springs Police Department remembered here.
Donald is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
Donald is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Donald is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1975, 5 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1975, 163 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1975, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Donald was 28. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39.
Donald was 28. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Donald was 28. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Thursdays: 15.7%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Manitou Springs Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 27.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
Donald Robert Laabs served in the U.S. Army (1964–1967) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Donald Robert Laabs’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Manitou Springs Police Department are honored on badge.nw.