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Incident
Inspector John Donahue succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained six weeks earlier while investigating a complaint from a man that his wife had stolen $650. The man had filed the complaint with the desk officer and was told to come back in the morning to speak with detectives. When the man returned, he was interviewed by Inspector Donahue, who then located the woman at the train station attempting to leave with her boyfriend. The man, woman, and boyfriend all returned to the police station, where the woman denied being married to the man. Inspector Donahue requested that the man obtain his marriage certificate and return to the scene. When the man returned, he observed Inspector Donahue interviewing the woman and became enraged. He shot Inspector Donahue with a pistol he had obtained when he went to get the marriage certificate. The suspect then went into an adjoining officer and committed suicide. Inspector Donahue was taken to St. Mary's Hospital where he died six weeks later. Inspector Donahue had served with the Waterbury Police Department for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and three sons.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Inspector Donahue gave the Waterbury Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waterbury community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Inspector Donahue.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Watertown Police Department has lost 11 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 74 officers killed feloniously in CT, 43.8% of the 169 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1920, 1 officer at Watertown Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1920, 1 officer in CT was killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 4.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 40. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Watertown Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 40; the middle age was 36. John had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
John was 40. Of the 70 killed feloniously in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 46.5; the middle age was 39. John had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
John was 40. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 20% of these deaths at Watertown Police Department; November holds the most, 20%. Mondays: 20%.
August holds 6.8% of these deaths in CT; May holds the most, 13.5%. Mondays: 16.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 45.5% of all 11 deaths at Watertown Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 43.8% of all 169 deaths in CT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 16.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Watertown Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Paul Mendelssohn
Mar 8, 1903
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Daniel J. Lane
Aug 7, 1913
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John F. Donahue
Aug 2, 1920
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William J. Stokes
May 2, 1925
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Matthew J. McNally
Nov 20, 1930
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Edward F. Ryan
Jan 27, 1933
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John E. Palmatier
Jul 20, 1941
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Frank D. Romano
Nov 22, 1958
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Leonard J. LaManna
Nov 18, 1961
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Walter T. Williams, III
Dec 18, 1992
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Bruce Hanley
Dec 13, 1997
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Watertown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
