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Incident
Police Officer Amy Donovan was killed when a police cruiser accidentally struck her during a foot chase.
At approximately 10:48 p.m., Officer Donovan and her partner observed a suspicious person walking on the 1300 block of Poquito Street. Officer Donovan got out of the car to talk to the man, and he began running. Officer Donovan began to chase the suspect, and her partner put the patrol car in reverse and tried to block the man's escape route. During the chase, the patrol car struck Officer Donovan and pinned her next to a utility pole. She was taken to Brackenridge Hospital, where she died of her injuries at approximately 12:36 a.m.
The suspect who fled was apprehended later in the week, and it was discovered that he had a parole revocation warrant. After agreeing to a plea deal, the suspect was sentenced to 4.5 years for drug charges. An additional charge was never formally filed against the suspect in court because the prosecuting attorney failed to read the charge during a hearing. In March 2012, the man responsible for Officer Donovan's death was murdered in Austin.
Officer Donovan had served with the Austin Police Department for five months.
At approximately 10:48 p.m., Officer Donovan and her partner observed a suspicious person walking on the 1300 block of Poquito Street. Officer Donovan got out of the car to talk to the man, and he began running. Officer Donovan began to chase the suspect, and her partner put the patrol car in reverse and tried to block the man's escape route. During the chase, the patrol car struck Officer Donovan and pinned her next to a utility pole. She was taken to Brackenridge Hospital, where she died of her injuries at approximately 12:36 a.m.
Survivors
She is survived by her husband and four children.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Donovan served with the Austin Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Austin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Donovan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Austin Police Department has lost 28 officers; 12 of them lost to accidents.
Amy is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Amy is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Amy is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2004, 1 officer at Austin Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1933, with 2.
In 2004, 8 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 14th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 2004, 72 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2004, 77 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 62nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Amy was 37. Of the 12 lost to accidents at Austin Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.8 and 38.3; the middle age was 30. Amy had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Amy was 37. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Amy had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Amy was 37. 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. Amy had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Amy was 37. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Amy had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 33.3% of these deaths at Austin Police Department, more than any other month. Sundays: 25%.
October holds 9.7% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Sundays: 12.6%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 42.9% of all 28 deaths at Austin Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Her people
Austin Police Department has 28 officers remembered here, Amy among them.
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Cornelius L. Fahey
Mar 8, 1875
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John H. Gaines Nov 19, 1913
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Thomas Allen
Oct 24, 1915
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James Newel Littlepage
Oct 9, 1928
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William Murray Stuart
Oct 16, 1933
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James R. Cummings
Dec 3, 1933
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Elkins Pond Morrison
Feb 3, 1936
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Walter Lee Tucker, Jr.
Oct 14, 1948
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Donald Eugene Carpenter
Jan 30, 1964
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Billy Paul Speed
Aug 1, 1966
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Thomas Wayne Birtrong
Aug 23, 1974
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Leland Dale Anderson
Jun 6, 1975
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Ralph Allen Ablanedo
May 18, 1978
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Lee Craig Smith
Dec 15, 1979
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Robert Townes Martinez, Jr.
Feb 25, 1989
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Drew Alan Bolin
Jun 2, 1995
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Clinton Warren Hunter
Nov 29, 2001
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Earl Alison Hall
Mar 4, 2002
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Amy Lynn Donovan
Oct 31, 2004
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Jaime De Luna Padron
Apr 6, 2012
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Clay Douglas Crabb
Oct 16, 2013
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Amir Abdul-Khaliq
Sep 4, 2016
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Lewis Andrew Traylor
Jul 31, 2021
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Randolph Boyd, Jr.
Aug 25, 2021
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Steve Urias
Aug 26, 2021
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Eric Shawn Lindsey
Dec 5, 2021
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Anthony Martin
Sep 23, 2022
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Jorge Pastore
Nov 11, 2023
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
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