Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Condolences to his family and his friends

Carson loveless

February 11, 2024

Deputy Vaughn, You are not forgotten by the men and women of Massachusetts Law Enforcement. RIP

Mike Kane
Retired Detective, Boston Police Dept.

August 12, 2023

Danny was my baby brother. I have thought of him so many times over the past almost 42 years. My family and I always wondered if Danny was in a witness protection, there were just so many things that made no sense about his death. When I went to Goldendale for his memorial there were so many unanswered questions. I managed to get through the memorial. It was so touching and appreciated to see all the officers who came to the service. Today God and a friend directed me to find this page. It didn't exist back then. I am so glad to have found it.
R.I.P. Baby Brother. I love you!

Judy Feenstra - Sister n Texas

July 31, 2018

Today God and a friend led me to this page. Danny Vaughn was my baby brother. This November will be 42 years since his death. During those years our family felt there was a lot I was not told when I went to Goldendale. I called the State Department in Washington several times trying to get that plane raised from the river. One time I was told to mind my own business with a very threatening tone to it. Our family often wondered if he was in a witness protection program. I always thought in my lifetime I would never learn why he died. I think of Danny so often and memories come flooding back. Thank you for this page.

Judy Feenstra
Sister of Danny

July 31, 2018

Rest in Peace Deputy Sheriff Danny Kerr Vaughn. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice .

I Pray for Peace for your Family, Friends and Co-Workers. I also Pray that the coward scum bag that murdered you meets a swift end! May the hounds of hell be snapping at his feet as I write this. May he know pain and anguish every breath he takes here on earth. May he burn in the lake of fire for eternity.

Amen.

B Sherwood Senior Special Agent Retired
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston, TX

November 21, 2016

I lived in Danny's home with my step father Officer John Garrison, Retired Intelligence Officer. Danny was a CHP Officer, undercover, working in Klickitate Co. as Air Patrol while actually investigating the police department for criminal behavior. (Undercover)

Danny had obtained evidence that a number of officers and officials had been taking materials out of the evidence room as well as illegally obtaining real property and selling items at the Portland Swap Meets and was called (while off duty) to fly over the Columbia River (when another Pilot flight officer was on duty) to investigate what later would be found a false 911 radio request. Allegedly the plane went down, and when all was said and done only one officer survived, it was later found that the surviving officer had possession of Danny's service weapon, which he was wearing when he left the house.
Immediately after Danny's death the chief of police took possession of Danny's home, there was a fence and dogs installed around it, and an extensive search of incriminating "documents" went on for months in, around, and under his home, car, property, and other locations.

Danny's body was not found for over a year. For more than 20 years Danny's photograph did not hang on the walls of the court house nor was his name ever mentioned.

Danny left a son and wife behind who at the time lived in California waiting for his return from his under cover investigation assignment.

When Danny's body was recovered a year later, the water in his lungs did not biologically match the water of the location which he was found, and the explanation as to why Danny's only service weapon was found on the only surviving officer has yet to be explained.

I can only say that Danny was a great influence on my life, he took me up flying, he took me out in his fast race car, and he also treated me like the son he missed so much and left behind for this lethal assignment.

Here is to the unknown soldier, who walks the lonely path, unacknowledged, unrecognized, with no expectation of recognition, knowing full well that if exposed or captured he will be denounced for the greater good. Semper fidelis

Investigation
Friend

October 24, 2014

I knew Officer Danny Vaughn through my father Officer Ed Weddle. As a teenagers in Goldendale in the 1970s we kept Officer Vaughn busy! I was reminded of "Vaughn" (as my dad called him) recently when we lost an Oregon City officer who simply trying to help someone. As I recall, Vaughn was responding to a distress call that a mini sub was stranded in the Columbia River. Vaughn made a reconaissance flight that ultimately took his life. The distress call turned out to be a hoax. I have thought of Vaughn over the years and the unnecessary tragedy of his.
death. The sacrafice he made in the line of duty must never be forgotten.

Demaris Garceau
Family friend

November 13, 2013

He was my dad.

I was his daughter
Daughter

January 24, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 35th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

November 19, 2011

I was thinking of Danny as I often have since his tragic death. That brought me to the internet. It will be 35 years ago this coming November that we lost him. Danny was a close personal friend of mine. I probably spent more hours in the car with him than anyone while he was a city officer. Danny loved life and he loved flying. He was very proud to be flying for the sheriffs office. I missed him then and now. Danny, I hope we can meet up again someday.

Res. Sgt. (at that time) Mike A. Bell
Goldendale City Police reserve

March 22, 2011

i am the son of ray lavere bybee, my drother daniel was named after this man, and my dad and danny were good friends. even though i was born a year after his death, i remember my dad talking about danny all the time, he left a great impact on all who knew him. thank you for your ultimate sacrifice.

deputy matthew dale bybee.
nez perce county sheriffs office

deputy matthew bybee
nez perce county sheriffs department/family friend

August 21, 2010

Even though this happened over 30 years ago, time has not diminished your
sacrifice. Thanks for serving the Evergreen State!
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

November 19, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

April 28, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

November 27, 2007

Rest easy, sir. You are not forgotten. Never.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)