Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Rice was struck and killed by a drunk driver while assisting a disabled motorist on a highway. The drunk driver sideswiped Deputy Rice and then fled the scene. The man was apprehended and sentenced to seven-and-a-half to fifteen years for manslaughter.
Survivors
Deputy Rice had been with the agency for nine years and was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-2B78165F- Stewardship
- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Rice gave the Eaton County Sheriff's Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charlotte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Rice.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Donald Earl Rice is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 719 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.2% of this state's fallen. That is 59.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Eaton County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Donald Earl Rice's cause is highlighted.
How Donald Earl Rice Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald Earl Rice is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald Earl Rice was killed by automobile.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Eaton County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
