Ronald J. Donahue

New York State Police — Albany, NY

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch May 23, 1959

Age 23

Tour of Duty 11 mo

The Vigil Panel 94 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 170

Incident

Trooper Ronald Donahue was shot and killed after he and his partner attempted to arrest a group of men who were creating a disturbance outside the Justice of The Peace office near Bombay. Trooper Donahue and his partner had arrested a suspect earlier in the day and brought him in front of a judge for arraignment. After the arraignment, the suspect's friends created a disturbance outside the office. When Trooper Donahue and his partner attempted to arrest the men, a struggle ensued, and one of the suspects gained control of Trooper Donahue's gun. The suspect shot and wounded Trooper Donahue's partner and shot and killed Trooper Donahue. Trooper Donahue's partner was able to return fire and wound the suspect, who was then taken into custody. The suspect was convicted of manslaughter on June 24, 1960. He received a suspended sentence and was placed on probation for five years. The Association of Former New York State Troopers charged that Franklin County Court officials had grossly mishandled the case. The general public was outraged. Trooper Donahue was a United States Marine Corps veteran who had served 11 months with the New York State Police and was assigned to Troop B at Massena.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, parents, one brother, and two sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-923C1C21
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.
Trooper Donahue served with the New York State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of New York, 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 New York State Police

Location Albany, NY

Platform Identity nysp.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 23, 1959

Tour of Duty 11 mo

Age 23

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Sentenced to 5 years probation

Military Service

Ronald J. Donahue served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Trooper Ronald J. Donahue 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At New York State Police, 29 of 171 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 17% of this agency's fallen.

New York State Police

of 171 officers

17% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious