U.S. Army · United States 
Donald Brereton
1960
Donald Joseph Brereton served the U.S. Army.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Officer Donald Brereton was shot and killed while chasing a man who had just robbed a liquor store at 501 Florida Avenue, NW. He and his partner were staking out a liquor store when it was robbed by two men. Officer Brereton chased one of the men into an alley, where he was ambushed and shot several times. The subject then stole his service weapon before fleeing. Officer Brereton's partner was also shot and wounded. The subject who shot Officer Brereton was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to death. Officer Brereton was a United States Army veteran of World War II and had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his wife and 1-year-old daughter. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 1-year-old daughter.
Service Record
U.S. Army
Also Served
Metropolitan Police Department
Officer
Burial Information
Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Section
33
Grave
2585
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqm15vms593hhn7hv0m8
Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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