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Incident
Patrolman DeSues was killed when a truck loaded with dynamite exploded. Patrolman DeSues was directing traffic at the corner of Pine street and Oak Street as a fire burned throughout the block. The fire spread to a parked truck that was loaded with 80 boxes of dynamite, causing the truck to explode. Over 100 people were injured, and 14 people, including Patrolman DeSues, were killed by the blast which leveled an 8-block area of the city. Patrolman DeSues' body was never found.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman DeSues served with the Roseburg Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Roseburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman DeSues.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Donald is the only officer of Roseburg Police Department remembered here.
Donald is one of 66 officers lost to accidents in OR, 33.5% of the 197 remembered there.
Donald is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Donald is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1959, 1 officer in OR was lost to accidents, the 19th heaviest of 45 years on record. The heaviest was 1961, with 3.
In 1959, 58 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1959, 67 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 79th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Donald was 32. Of the 59 lost to accidents in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 44.5; the middle age was 36.
Donald was 32. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Donald was 32. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
August holds 6.1% of these deaths in OR; May holds the most, 16.7%. Fridays: 13.6%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Roseburg Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 33.5% of all 197 deaths in OR, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Roseburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.