Donald William Parker, Jr.

Erie Police Department — Erie, PA

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch May 23, 1985

Age 40

Tour of Duty 15 yrs 3 mo

The Vigil Panel 129 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 13

Incident

Patrolman Donald Parker was killed when his police motorcycle was struck by a speeding truck as he exited the police headquarters parking lot on West 7th Street between Peach Street and State Street. He was leaving headquarters after completing an interview with the local newspaper. The driver of the truck was convicted of several counts, including homicide by motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated. Patrolman Parker was a U.S Army veteran of the Vietnam War and served with the Erie Police Department for more than 15 years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, and two daughters, and parents.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-3E4989AC
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 Parker gave the Erie Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Erie 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 Erie Police Department

Location Erie, PA

Platform Identity epd.erie.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 23, 1985

Tour of Duty 15 yrs 3 mo

Age 40

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Military Service

Donald William Parker, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman Donald William Parker, 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Erie Police Department, 7 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Erie Police Department

of 14 officers

50% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious