Westley A. McDonald
Agency patch
Sheriff

Westley A. McDonald

Felonious
End of Watch November 8, 1952
The Vigil Panel 88 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Sheriff McDonald and Deputy Jackson were attempting to take a subject into custody when the subject opened fire with a rifle.

After arriving at the subject's farm, Sheriff McDonald approached the rear door and was shot by the subject from the doorway. Deputy Jackson was still in the police car and was shot through the door immediately after Sheriff McDonald was killed.

The subject escaped after shooting the officers. A manhunt for the subject was initiated by other officers, and the subject was located after an overnight search. The subject shot and killed himself as the officers closed in.

Sheriff McDonald had known the subject for a number of years, and the subject reportedly suffered from a mental disability.

The subject escaped after shooting the officers. A manhunt for the subject was initiated by other officers, and the subject was located after an overnight search. The subject shot and killed himself as the officers closed in.

Sheriff W.A. McDonald was my grandfather though he was killed before i was even conceived or born. His wife my beloved grandmother Blanche Maybelle ( Pat) Lively McDonald left Colorado after his death. She moved to Salem Oregon and worked herself up from being a metermaid to becoming thee first FEMALE DEPUTY SHERIFF OF MARION COUNTY SALEM OREGON USA. She remained faithful to her beloved husband who was the Love of her life.

Sara jer Lesina January 8th, 2021

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-B3795D14
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff McDonald served with the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Akron community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff McDonald.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Akron, CO
Platform Identity wcso.washington.co.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 8, 1952
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle
Offender Committed suicide

Sheriff Westley A. McDonald 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 CO, 235 of 360 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.3% of this state's fallen. That is 11.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Washington County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.

Washington County Sheriff's Office
2
of 3 officers
66.7% Felonious
CO — Statewide
235
of 360 officers
65.3% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Westley A. McDonald's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Westley A. McDonald Compares

Offender Outcome

Committed suicide

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Westley A. McDonald is highlighted in Nov.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Westley A. McDonald was killed by rifle.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from Washington County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.