Prev
Incident
Deputy Armeni was shot and killed when he and his partner attempted to serve committal papers to a man in a rural part of King County. As the deputies entered the living room the man ran out of his room and opened fire, fatally wounding Deputy Armeni. The man then ran outside where he shot and wounded another deputy who returned fire critically wounding him. The 27-year-old suspect was judged insane and committed in a mental institution in Lakewood where he died on February 7, 1971.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqw34x505v9z0x4ds4pt- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Donald. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Armeni served with the King County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Seattle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Armeni.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
King County Sheriff's Office has lost 18 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
Donald is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Donald is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Donald is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1954, 1 officer at King County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1954, 2 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1954, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1954, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Donald was 45. Of the 9 killed feloniously at King County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 38 and 46; the middle age was 44.
Donald was 45. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41.
Donald was 45. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Donald was 45. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 9.1% of these deaths at King County Sheriff's Office; March holds the most, 27.3%. Wednesdays: 18.2%.
September holds 9.6% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Wednesdays: 15%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.1% of all 18 deaths at King County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 27.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23% 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
King County Sheriff's Office has 18 officers remembered here, Donald among them.
-
Wesley F. Cherry Mar 6, 1854
-
Louis V. Wyckoff
Jan 20, 1882
-
George W. Poor Jul 26, 1891
-
Cornelius Rowley
Jul 4, 1902
-
Robert Carl Scott
Apr 4, 1920
-
Steven S. Watson Jul 9, 1934
-
Thomas Charles Meehan
Nov 13, 1935
-
John Frederick Mines
Jul 19, 1946
-
George H. Yeaman, Jr.
Jul 22, 1946
-
Norman F. Silkworth
Mar 7, 1952
-
Donald A. Armeni
Sep 15, 1954
-
Samuel A. Hicks
Jun 24, 1982
-
Michael L. Raburn
Mar 27, 1984
-
Richard S. Cochran, II
May 22, 1991
-
Mark William Brown
Feb 27, 1999
-
Richard Anthony Herzog
Jun 22, 2002
-
Steven E. Cox
Dec 2, 2006
-
Reginald Bernard Thomas
Sep 7, 2020
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from King County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
