Incident
Patrolman Redfern was struck by a drunk driver and killed while directing traffic at the scene of a flash flood. The vehicle was traveling approximately 50 mph when the driver lost control and slid into Patrolman Redfern and two other cars. The driver was arrested and charged with manslaughter. The 21-year-old driver was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 2 to 5 years. Patrolman Redfern had been with the agency for over two years and was survived by his wife and son. He was a World War II veteran.
Survivors
Patrolman Redfern had been with the agency for over two years and was survived by his wife and son.
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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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.
Patrolman Redfern gave the Albuquerque Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albuquerque 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 W. Redfern served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Albuquerque Police Department has lost 15 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Donald is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 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 1951, 1 officer at Albuquerque Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1886, with 2.
In 1951, 2 officers in NM were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 1951, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1951, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Donald was 27. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Albuquerque Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 46.3; the middle age was 35.5. Donald had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Donald was 27. Of the 107 killed feloniously in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37. Donald had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donald was 27. 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 had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donald was 27. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Donald had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 23.1% of these deaths at Albuquerque Police Department; February holds the most, 30.8%. Wednesdays: 23.1%.
August holds 11.4% of these deaths in NM; February holds the most, 14.6%. Wednesdays: 17.9%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 86.7% of all 15 deaths at Albuquerque Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 15.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.7% of all 193 deaths in NM, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.1% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Albuquerque Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Donald among them.
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E. D. Henry
Nov 20, 1886
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Robert McGuire
Nov 26, 1886
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Alexander Knapp Jan 15, 1912
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Donald W. Redfern
Aug 15, 1951
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Frank A. Sjolander, Jr.
Dec 1, 1954
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Richard Armijo
Sep 30, 1958
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Max R. Oldham
Feb 21, 1959
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Philip Horace Chacon
Sep 10, 1980
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Gerald Eugene Cline
Feb 24, 1983
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Kenneth Shawn McWethy
Feb 1, 1986
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John Arthur Carrillo
Feb 22, 1987
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Jeffrey Cole Russell
Jan 8, 2002
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Michael R. King
Aug 18, 2005
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Richard W. Smith, Jr.
Aug 18, 2005
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Daniel Scott Webster
Oct 29, 2015
Military Service
Donald W. Redfern served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Donald W. Redfern’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 49-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Albuquerque Police Department are honored on badge.nw.












