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Incident
Detective Corporal Louis Donald was killed in an automobile accident during a vehicle pursuit at approximately 9:30 pm while working a special traffic detail.
Detective Corporal Donald's patrol car and another patrol car were approaching the intersection of 25th Avenue and Chase Street at the same time. As the second patrol car stopped to give Detective Corporal Donald the right of way, he also attempted to stop, and his patrol car struck a light pole. All three occupants in the suspect vehicle were apprehended.
Detective Corporal Donald was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Gary Police Department for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, daughter, and three sons.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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. Louis 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 Corporal Donald gave the Gary Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gary community. Thank you 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
Louis William Donald Jr. served in the U.S. Army (1986â1986) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Gary Police Department has lost 15 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Louis is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Louis is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Louis is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 1 officer at Gary Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2001, 3 officers in IN were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 2001, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2001, 89 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Louis was 33. Of the 4 lost to accidents at Gary Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30.3 and 33; the middle age was 32. Louis had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 4.9 years.
Louis was 33. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Louis had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Louis was 33. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Louis had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Louis was 33. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Louis had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 60% of these deaths at Gary Police Department, more than any other month. Mondays: 20%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Mondays: 13.2%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.4%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 15 deaths at Gary Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 40% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 11.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Gary Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Louis among them.
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Edward Wilson Sep 9, 1913
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Julius Gunther
Sep 16, 1921
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Pearl Agnes Lanham
Mar 12, 1930
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James L. Kelly
Mar 31, 1932
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Walter Poturalski
Aug 8, 1935
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Elza O'Dell
Jan 31, 1953
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John Edward Moore
Aug 4, 1955
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Michael G. Rusnak
Jun 11, 1966
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George W. Lowe, Sr.
Jun 2, 1970
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James R. Boyce, Jr.
Oct 5, 1974
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George Yaros
Aug 11, 1981
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Dorian David Rorex
Jan 15, 1998
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Louis William Donald, Jr.
Aug 27, 2001
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Benjamin Wilcher, Jr.
Aug 12, 2007
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Jeffrey Brady Westerfield
Jul 6, 2014
Where
Military Service
Louis William Donald Jr. served in the U.S. Army (1986–1986) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Louis William Donald Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Gary Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
