Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Donald Downs was struck and killed by a drunk driver while directing traffic at 7th Street and Maine Avenue, SW. The driver jumped the curb and struck him. The man attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended. Officer Downs had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-DC-D2E1A2CF- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Downs gave the Metropolitan Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Washington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Downs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Donald W. Downs is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Metropolitan Police Department, 70 of 131 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Donald W. Downs's cause is highlighted.
How Donald W. Downs Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald W. Downs is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald W. Downs was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
130 officers from Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
