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Donald James DeMeulle
Incident
Deputy Donald DeMeulle was killed when the helicopter he was riding in crashed into Silverwood Lake. The helicopter became entangled in high-powered power lines and fell into the lake. Deputy DeMeulle sustained severe head injuries and was trapped in the helicopter as it became submerged. The pilot, who suffered a broken back, made several heroic attempts to dive into the water and free Deputy DeMeulle's seatbelt. Deputy DeMeulle had been with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two young children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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. Donald is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff DeMeulle gave the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Bernardino community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff DeMeulle.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Donald James DeMeulle served in the U.S. Army (1979â1981) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has lost 18 officers; 8 of them lost to accidents.
Donald is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Donald is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Donald 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 1986, 1 officer at San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 2005, with 2.
In 1986, 10 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 10th heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1986, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1986, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Donald was 29. Of the 8 lost to accidents at San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 36.8; the middle age was 33.5. Donald had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Donald was 29. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Donald had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Donald was 29. 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. Donald had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donald was 29. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Donald had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 12.5% of these deaths at San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department; September holds the most, 25%. Thursdays: 12.5%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 44.4% of all 18 deaths at San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has 18 officers remembered here, Donald among them.
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William Francis Smithson
Oct 20, 1907
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William Jackson Litz
May 23, 1959
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Donald Archibald Mason
Dec 23, 1959
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Billie Rose Heckle
Feb 15, 1960
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Alfred Elder Stewart
Mar 9, 1973
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Frank Marion Pribble
Jul 6, 1975
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Clifford Ernest Sanchez
Apr 6, 1985
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Donald James DeMeulle
Jul 31, 1986
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Keith B. Farley
Apr 12, 1987
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Russell Dean Roberts
Sep 16, 1995
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Ronald Wayne Ives
Sep 1, 2004
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Gregory Alan Gariepy
Jun 22, 2005
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Daniel Jess Lobo, Jr.
Oct 11, 2005
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Jeremiah Alan MacKay
Feb 12, 2013
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Dominic David Vaca
May 31, 2021
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Armando Cantu, Jr.
Nov 18, 2021
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Hector Cuevas, Jr.
Mar 17, 2025
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Andrew Nuñez
Oct 27, 2025
Military Service
Donald James DeMeulle served in the U.S. Army (1979–1981) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Donald James DeMeulle’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 3-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
