Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Donald Highley was struck and killed by a drunk driver while writing a ticket. He had completed the citation and was in the process of handing the citation to the driver when he was struck. The original driver receiving the traffic violation used the officer's radio to notify the agency of the incident. The 48-year-old drunken violator who fled was chased down and ran off the road by a tow-truck driver. The driver and his passenger held the suspect until police arrived and arrested him. The incident was the drunken driver's fourth DUI conviction. He received one year in the county jail. Policeman Highley was a U.S Navy veteran and had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-68E4DF6E- 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 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.
Policeman Highley gave the Los Angeles Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles 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 LeRoy Highley served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Policeman Donald LeRoy Highley 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Los Angeles Police Department, 115 of 240 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Donald LeRoy Highley's cause is highlighted.
How Donald LeRoy Highley Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 1 year
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald LeRoy Highley is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald LeRoy Highley was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
239 officers from Los Angeles Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
