Donald W. Redfern

Albuquerque Police Department — Albuquerque, NM

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch August 15, 1951

Age 27

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

The Vigil Panel 87 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 14

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: BO-US-NM-681E033D
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.
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

Department Albuquerque Police Department

Location Albuquerque, NM

Platform Identity apd.bernalillo.nm.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 15, 1951

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 27

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Offender Sentenced to 5 years

Military Service

Donald W. Redfern served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman Donald W. Redfern 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 NM, 123 of 193 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.7% of this state's fallen. That is 9.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Albuquerque Police Department, 13 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 86.7% of this agency's fallen.

Albuquerque Police Department

of 15 officers

86.7% Felonious

NM — Statewide

123

of 193 officers

63.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious