Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Donald Stewart succumbed to head injuries sustained when he was struck by a suspect after responding to a domestic disturbance at 1327 Irwin Street in Escalon at 8:00 p.m. Chief Stewart and another officer were subduing a man who had been fighting with his family when he got control of Chief Stewart's nightstick and struck him twice about his head. The officers were transporting the suspect to jail when suddenly Chief Stewart slumped over the wheel on Airport Way. The other officer riding with him grabbed the wheel and was able to keep the patrol car under control. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. The subject pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to one to two years in prison. Chief Stewart was a United States Marine Corps WWII veteran and had served as the chief of the Escalon Police Department for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-7FEBFF7A- 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.
Chief of Police Stewart gave the Escalon Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Escalon 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Donald P. Stewart served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Chief of Police Donald P. Stewart 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Donald P. Stewart's cause is highlighted.
How Donald P. Stewart Compares
Offender Outcome
Guilty of involuntary manslaughter
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald P. Stewart is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald P. Stewart was killed by officer's nightstick.