Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Donald Young was shot and killed at a rental hall on West Mississippi Street.
He and another officer were in uniform, working an off-duty job at a private celebration, when a man approached both officers from behind and opened fire on them in an unprovoked attack. The shooting occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m. as patrons were leaving as the event ended. Detective Young was killed, and the second officer was wounded.
The suspect fled the scene but was captured on June 5, 2005, in Culiacan on the western coast of Mexico. U.S. Marshals and Mexican authorities located and arrested him without incident. The suspect was sentenced to 80 years in prison on October 25, 2005.
Detective Young had served with the Denver Police Department for 12 years and was assigned to the Fugitive / Bomb Unit.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two young daughters, and a son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-64F11DBB- 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.
Detective Young gave the Denver Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Denver community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Young.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Donald Ray Young 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 Denver Police Department, 55 of 74 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 74.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Donald Ray Young's cause is highlighted.
How Donald Ray Young Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 80 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald Ray Young is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald Ray Young was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
73 officers from Denver Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
