Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Donald Gamblin was killed when he was struck by an intoxicated driver while conducting a traffic stop at approximately 9:30 am on I-435 north of the 53rd Street overpass. Patrolman Gamblin was walking back to his motorcycle when the driver hit him, knocking him 250 feet. The driver also hit his motorcycle and the van he had stopped, knocking them both 200 feet. Five people inside the van were injured. One, an 8-year-old girl, was seriously injured with a fractured skull. The 30-year-old driver who struck him was under the influence of valium, cocaine, and Demerol at the time of the crash. He was convicted of aggravated negligent homicide, possession of cocaine and valium, and sentenced to 11 to 25 years. He was denied parole in 2000 but told he would be reconsidered in 2002. Patrolman Gamblin was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Shawnee Police Department for 12 years. He was survived by his wife, three sons, and a daughter. He was a Vietnam War Army veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, and a daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-A3EB40EA- Stewardship
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- 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.
Patrolman Gamblin gave the Shawnee Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Shawnee 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 Burton Gamblin, Jr. served in the Army (1976â1979) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Donald Burton Gamblin, Jr. 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 KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 16.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Donald Burton Gamblin, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Donald Burton Gamblin, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 25 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald Burton Gamblin, Jr. is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald Burton Gamblin, Jr. was killed by automobile; narcotics involved.