Westley A. McDonald
Agency patch
Sheriff

Westley A. McDonald

Felonious
End of Watch November 8, 1952
The Vigil Panel 88 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Sheriff McDonald and Deputy Jackson were attempting to take a subject into custody when the subject opened fire with a rifle.

After arriving at the subject's farm, Sheriff McDonald approached the rear door and was shot by the subject from the doorway. Deputy Jackson was still in the police car and was shot through the door immediately after Sheriff McDonald was killed.

The subject escaped after shooting the officers. A manhunt for the subject was initiated by other officers, and the subject was located after an overnight search. The subject shot and killed himself as the officers closed in.

Sheriff McDonald had known the subject for a number of years, and the subject reportedly suffered from a mental disability.

In Our Keeping

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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
September 9, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff McDonald served with the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Akron community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff McDonald.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Sheriff's Office
Location Akron, Washington County, CO
Platform Identity wcso.washington.co.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 8, 1952
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Westley is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1952, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
III

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

Washington County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Westley among them.

Sheriff Westley A. McDonald

Washington County Sheriff's Office · End of Watch November 8, 1952

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-W

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from Washington County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.

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