Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Detectives John Donahue was shot and killed by a man he attempted to arrest for assaulting a woman with an axe.
As Detective Donahue approached the man on a local street, the man drew a revolver and shot Detective Donahue in the head, killing him instantly.
The man was arrested and convicted of murder. While in his cell, he committed suicide.
Chief Donahue had served with the Hot Springs Police Department for at least three years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-E66E2122- 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.
Chief of Detectives Donahue gave the Hot Springs Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hot Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Detectives Donahue.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Detectives John Donahue 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 AR, 249 of 372 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.9% of this state's fallen. That is 66.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Hot Springs Police Department, 8 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 88.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Donahue's cause is highlighted.
How John Donahue Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Donahue is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Donahue was killed by handgun; revolver.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Hot Springs Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
