Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Donnelly was killed in an automobile crash at the intersection of Limestone Street and Main Street while riding on the running board of a commandeered vehicle. Patrolman Donnelly was on traffic duty at a nearby intersection when he observed a vehicle that had been stolen earlier in the day. Unbeknownst to him, the vehicle had already been recovered and was being driven by the owner. As a result, he commandeered a utility company truck and followed the vehicle. The vehicle he was riding on was involved in a collision causing him to be thrown from the vehicle and then struck by another vehicle. He was transported to City Hospital where he died a short time later. Patrolman Donnelly had served with the Springfield Police Department for 6 years during two different appointments. He was survived by his wife and brother, who was also a member of the agency. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery at Springfield, Clark County, Ohio.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and brother, who was also a member of the agency.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-A4EB4165- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Donnelly gave the Springfield Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Donnelly.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John M. Donnelly is one of 1 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In OH, 318 of 991 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 32.1% of this state's fallen. That is 32.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Springfield Police Department, 4 of 9 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John M. Donnelly's cause is highlighted.
How John M. Donnelly Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. John M. Donnelly is highlighted in Jul.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Springfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
