Trooper Donald Charles Cleveland

I remember the morning that this happened. It was almost shift change and I was getting off duty at Troop K, the Troop just north of Troop I, where Donald was posted. The shame of it all was that the traffic stop was for a tail light violation. Worst yet, the individual who murdered Donald had just been released from Juvenile Detention for the murder of a taxi cab driver. It had been determined by a qualified Psychologist that the murder, would never ever be an asset to society and that he would murder again, yet he had been released. "The psychiatrist therefore recommended a lengthy confinement, followed by transfer to permanent facilities. "

Of special note: The murder's son, born while his dad was awaiting execution was himself convicted of the 2001 death of a 14-month old baby. The second generation murder is currently serving a 60-year sentence in the same prison his father was executed in.

Larry A. Gould, PhD, Retired Sergent LSP
Louisiana State Police, Troop K

August 28, 2021