Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service. Deputy Sheriff Donald Lee Schavolt will never be forgotten.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

July 30, 2022

I was working the ER the night you came in. Every year my husband and myself we go to the Police Ball (which was last night) you are of course one of the deputies honored in a video, and I get tears in my eyes because I saw you doing your paperwork and we had a brief conversation before you collapsed. I had just come off of maternity leave a month before. This is one night in my ER career I will NEVER forget! I haven’t written before because i’m new to this site and I didn’t know this site went back this far. May god continue to give your family strength. God Bless them and may you continue to R.I.P

wife of LT William Pinto Barbara Pinto
Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office

June 9, 2019

R.I.P brother...

Deputy Vidal Rivera 8424
PALM BEACH COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

March 29, 2019

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Schavolt.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 28, 2019

Rest in peace.

Sgt. Jim Russo

April 1, 2017

The Sheriffs of Florida and their deputies will never forget the sacrifice you and your family made to uphold our laws and protect society.

Your name has been inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs and the National Law Enforcement Memorial and in our hearts. May you forever rest in peace.

A scripture inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs Law Enforcement Memorial:

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the children
of God." Matthew 5:9

Executive Director Steve Casey
Florida Sheriffs Association

August 20, 2016

10 years ago today my life changed forever. We talk of you often. Laugh at the happy and funny times. And sometimes cry at the sad times. We know you are watching over us. We miss you.

Dana Schavolt Price
Widow of D/S Donald L Schavolt PBSO

March 31, 2012

Dana and kids, you are all in my prayers as you face this difficult day. I can't believe that it has been 10 years, I am not sure where the time has gone, but I know that time did not heal the pain in our hearts. The girls have grown up to become such beautiful young women and I know that your dad is proud of you. We will never forget your hero and the sacrifice that he and all of you made for all of us. Love to you all today and always.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

March 31, 2012

Rest in Peace, Deputy Schavolt. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 16, 2012

When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge - Proverbs 14:32.

Never forgotten.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi #1249
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada

March 31, 2011

We will never forget the hero who gave his all for us and the Dana and the girls who were left behind to pick up the pieces of this tragedy and move on. The pain in their hearts is as strong today as it was 9 years ago today, because time really doesn't heal the pain in our hearts. I know you are so proud watching over them from above and seeing the young ladies the girls have become and so beautiful... Continue to rest in peace Deputy Schavolt, heroes do live forever.


Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Anonymous

March 31, 2011

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

March 31, 2010

Dearest Dana and family,
I just found this website and read of Don's trip with God. Taggert was a very good friend and took me to my first Penguin - Panther Hocky game. It took me by surprise to say the least. Taggert... in heaven you are with the best! You will be sorely missed here on earth, but oh the wondrous peace you are experiencing. God bless you and may your family have peace in their future.

Lorrie Hostetter Deal

September 21, 2009

You have not been forgotten. Thank you for your dedicated career to law enforcement. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

March 31, 2009

Thinking of your loved ones today and everyday. I know the daily struggles they face without you and the terrible pain within their hearts. God, wrap your loving arms around them and help them with their grief and let them feel your presence.
Your sacrifice has not been forgotten.

Brenda Lucas
Mother of Chief Anthony D. Lucas, EOW 2-4-2005

March 31, 2009

RIP.You maybe gone but you will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

November 9, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

February 28, 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 © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

December 15, 2007

Today was a very hard day for me, another Deputy was laid to rest and another one killed today in the line of duty. Seeing the families and what they are going through, day by day and hour and hour brings everything back to the surface. Amy and I had the hardest time this week. We miss you everyday, talk about you everyday. Many tears have been cried this week for the families and for you. We miss you and love you.

Dana Schavolt-Price
Wife/Widow

August 15, 2007

I left PBSO in Nov. of 1995, and was saddened to hear of the tragic passing of one of my best friends in the department, Don Schavolt. Don was the consumate Officer, always willing to do more than was expected of him. I shall miss him. My thoughts and prayers got out to his family and extended PBSO family. "Job well done, Taggart!"

Fmr. Sgt. Bill Bingaman
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

September 28, 2006

To Deputy Donald Lee Schavolt and his loved ones:

On this the fourth anniversary week of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart goes out to your family. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers.
Reading the loving reflections about your beloved Donald gives us some understanding of what a kind and honorable man he was, and how much he loved and was loved by his family.

Donald, you rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Deputy Schavolt. I am humbled by your valor, courage, and dedication. How your loved ones must miss you.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Donald gave to his community and the citizens of Florida, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on March 31, 2002.

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

April 4, 2006

To the family, friends and fellow officers of Deputy Sheriff Donald Lee Schavolt I would like to express my deepest regards and sympathy. I hope that one day I can be as brave as all Officers out there. I would one day like to work for the Palm Beach County Sherrif's Office and I hope that I can be a great Deputy and perform my duties just like Deputy Schavolt.

Explorer Louis Masucci

July 27, 2004

For Dana and the Kids, His memory will live for years to come. To those of us who worked with Don, we have the the Good times and the Bad. For myself, I have the unique lifetime experience of knowing Don and being able to call him FRIEND.

God Bless The Family, The Brothers and Sisters of Law Enforcement and Take Care of Don as we know you will!

Cpl. Charles M. Hudson
Palm Beach County Sheriff Office

May 10, 2004

Donald Lee Schavolt was an awsome father who loved his children and wife with all of heart and soul. March 31 was a day of tragedy, but I thank God everyday for allowing a great and loving man, a hero to be my daddy. I can still feel his love everyday as he watches over. Dad I love and miss you.

Kari White-Schavolt

January 29, 2004

Donald Shavolt was an Honorable Man, a GREAT FATHER and a Tremendous Husband. Those who know him will miss him terribly. We will go on Donald, we will take care of YOUR family, as I know you would take care of mine if we had to exchange places.

D/S Glenn Wescott
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office