Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Martin Donovan was shot and killed when a mentally disturbed man attacked him without provocation. He was on foot patrol on 14th Street, NW, just south of Thomas Circle, when the man tackled him and gained control of his weapon. The subject claimed the reason he attacked Officer Donovan was because the police uniform "bugged" him. Officer Donovan was a U.S. Army Military Police veteran and had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for four years. He is survived by his wife, child, four brothers, and four sisters. He is buried at Arlington Cemetary.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, child, four brothers, and four sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-DC-557BDBFE- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Martin. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Officer Donovan gave the Metropolitan Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Washington 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
Martin I. Donovan served in the Army before joining law enforcement.
Officer Martin I. Donovan 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Metropolitan Police Department, 70 of 131 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Martin I. Donovan's cause is highlighted.
How Martin I. Donovan Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Martin I. Donovan is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Martin I. Donovan was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
130 officers from Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
