Incident
Officer Donahue died after experiencing a blood clot while subduing a rioter who was resisting arrest. During the struggle, he was struck in the ribs, which resulted in a blood clot developing and moving to his heart. He died four days later as a result. Officer Donahue had served with the Akron Police Department for 31 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, son, and two grandchildren.
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
31 years. You could have gone home.
Officer Donahue gave the Akron Police Department 31 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Akron community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Donahue.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Akron Police Department has lost 28 officers; 3 of them lost to illness.
Robert is one of 49 officers lost to illness in OH, 4.9% of the 993 remembered there.
Robert is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1968, 1 officer in OH was lost to illness, the 5th heaviest of 22 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 15.
In 1968, 1 officer in the United States was lost to illness, the 75th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 1968, 8 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 60th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Robert was 58. Of the 49 lost to illness in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 56; the middle age was 36. Robert had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Robert was 58. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Robert had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Robert was 58. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Robert had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
July holds 12.2% of these deaths in OH; October holds the most, 22.4%. Wednesdays: 12.2%.
July holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Wednesdays: 14%.
July holds 7.3% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Wednesdays: 13.6%.
How
Illness deaths account for 10.7% of all 28 deaths at Akron Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 4.9% of all 993 deaths in OH, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Akron Police Department has 28 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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Guy Norris
Dec 24, 1917
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Edward J. Costigan
Jan 10, 1918
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Joseph H. Hunt
Jan 12, 1918
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Gethin G. Richards
Mar 12, 1918
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Adolph Oberdoerster
Dec 15, 1918
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George Werne
Mar 9, 1919
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Harold Rogers
Jul 8, 1925
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William H. Grubbs
May 10, 1929
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Harland F. Manes
Mar 9, 1930
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Forrest L. Good
Jun 21, 1931
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Kenneth Knepp
Mar 3, 1933
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William Sherfie Peterson
Oct 31, 1933
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Arden D. Weese
Mar 22, 1946
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Floyd A. Weatherholt, Jr.
Mar 25, 1960
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Ronald D. Rotruck
Jul 21, 1964
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Eugene Hooper
Apr 10, 1965
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Robert E. Donahue
Jul 31, 1968
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Glenn K. Stewart
Sep 5, 1970
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Stephen J. Ondas
Oct 21, 1972
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Gary A. Yost, Sr.
Aug 23, 1975
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Ben James Franklin
Jan 10, 1992
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Harold L. Wintrow
Aug 27, 1993
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George R. Knaff
Nov 5, 1994
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Frank Dennis Mancini
Jan 23, 2012
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Jonathan R. Long
Aug 15, 2013
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Justin Robert Winebrenner
Nov 16, 2014
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Kenneth Clarence Jones
Nov 7, 2020
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Edward Lee Stewart
Feb 12, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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