Donald Archibald Mason
Incident
Detective Donald Mason suffered a fatal heart attack after struggling to subdue a mental patient in the courtroom at the San Bernadino County Superior Court at 351 North Arrowhead Avenue in San Bernardino.
Detective Mason had worked until 2:30 am and returned to duty at 7:30 am to attend court proceedings that had been moved due to the Christmas Holiday. During the last court case, he was kicked in the groin and chest when a subject was ruled mentally ill in court. After court proceedings at 12:57 pm, he was driving and pulled over on Highland Avenue near Muscott Street and summoned aid, complaining of chest pains. He was transported to Community Hospital where he was unable to be resuscitated.
Detective Mason had served with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for ten years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Mason gave the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Bernardino community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Mason.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has lost 18 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Donald is one of 52 officers lost to cardiac events in CA, 2.8% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Donald is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Donald is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1959, 1 officer in CA was lost to cardiac events, the 11th heaviest of 42 years on record. The heaviest was 1961, with 2.
In 1959, 10 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 61st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1959, 10 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 61st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Donald was 36. Of the 51 lost to cardiac events in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 52.5; the middle age was 44. Donald had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Donald was 36. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Donald had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Donald was 36. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Donald had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
December holds 3.8% of these deaths in CA; January holds the most, 15.4%. Wednesdays: 17.3%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 5.6% of all 18 deaths at San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 2.8% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has 18 officers remembered here, Donald among them.
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William Francis Smithson
Oct 20, 1907
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William Jackson Litz
May 23, 1959
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Donald Archibald Mason
Dec 23, 1959
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Billie Rose Heckle
Feb 15, 1960
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Alfred Elder Stewart
Mar 9, 1973
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Frank Marion Pribble
Jul 6, 1975
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Clifford Ernest Sanchez
Apr 6, 1985
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Donald James DeMeulle
Jul 31, 1986
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Keith B. Farley
Apr 12, 1987
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Russell Dean Roberts
Sep 16, 1995
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Ronald Wayne Ives
Sep 1, 2004
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Gregory Alan Gariepy
Jun 22, 2005
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Daniel Jess Lobo, Jr.
Oct 11, 2005
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Jeremiah Alan MacKay
Feb 12, 2013
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Dominic David Vaca
May 31, 2021
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Armando Cantu, Jr.
Nov 18, 2021
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Hector Cuevas, Jr.
Mar 17, 2025
-
Andrew Nuñez
Oct 27, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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