Donald W. Gaskin

Louisville Police Department — Louisville, KY

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch December 30, 1969

Age 31

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

The Vigil Panel 106 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 90

Incident

Patrolman Donald Gaskin and Detective James Ratliff were shot and killed when they responded to a robbery call at a local grocery store at 2328 Osage Avenue. Two suspects were inside the store when Patrolman Gaskin arrived at the scene. The suspect ordered the store clerk to open the door, and as Patrolman Gaskin entered, he was shot by the suspect. Detective Ratliff and his partner arrived just as Patrolman Gaskin was shot. As the detectives ran for cover, another shot was fired and struck Detective Ratliff. During an ensuing shootout, two other officers and the two suspects were wounded. Patrolman Gaskin succumbed to his wounds before reaching the hospital. Detective Ratliff succumbed to his injuries approximately five hours later during surgery. Both suspects were convicted of both murders and sentenced to death. Their sentences were later commuted to life. In 1980, they were paroled with the condition that they never return to Jefferson County. Patrolman Gaskin was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and had served with the Louisville Police Department for six years.

Survivors

He was survived by his brother.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KY-6D7A9C4D
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.
Patrolman Gaskin gave the Louisville Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville 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

Department Louisville Police Department

Location Louisville, KY

Platform Identity lpd.jefferson.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 30, 1969

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

Age 31

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .45 caliber

Offender Sentenced to life

Military Service

Donald W. Gaskin served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman Donald W. Gaskin 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Louisville Police Department, 51 of 91 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56% of this agency's fallen.

Louisville Police Department

of 91 officers

56% Felonious

KY — Statewide

755

of 983 officers

76.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious