Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

RIP
❤️

Sgt. Robert Crouch Ret.
Ontario, Calif. Police

December 28, 2022

Don, I’ll never forget the day I heard about your helicopter crash and your passing. That was a very, very sad day. You were a good guy! You were a good friend! I remember all the good times in our police academy and also visiting your wife and very young children at your home in Fountain Valley. I remember all of your stories about flying helicopters and your time in Hawaii. You left all of us way too soon brother. Trusting our heavenly father that we will see each other again.

David Kemp, Deputy Sheriff
Orange County,Ca Sheriff, Academy Classmate

May 1, 2022

I was stationed in Hawaii and flew with Don in the 3/4 Cavalry. We were kids really... living the dream! Flying the hawaiian islands... playing on the beach and spending too much time at the officers club. Don's kids were very young then. Our first formal event required the newest officer to the troop to memorize and recite a poem and that was Don. I think of Don often, his smile and the twinkle in his eye and hope his children have found peace and happiness. Here is the poem Don recited. - Fiddlers' Green

Halfway down the trail to Hell, In a shady meadow green
Are the Souls of all dead troopers camped, Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place Is known as Fiddlers’ Green.
Marching past, straight through to Hell The Infantry are seen.
Accompanied by the Engineers, Artillery and Marines,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen Dismount at Fiddlers’ Green.
Though some go curving down the trail To seek a warmer scene.
No trooper ever gets to Hell Ere he’s emptied his canteen.
And so rides back to drink again With friends at Fiddlers’ Green.
And so when man and horse go down Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge of fierce melee You stop a bullet clean,
And the hostiles come to get your scalp, And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddlers’ Green.

Mike Coverdale CW2
Stick Buddy

November 28, 2021

Hard to believe it’s been 35 years brother. You were a good friend and I think about you always.

T.A. Nicassio, Capt. (Ret.)
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Dept.

July 31, 2021

Don started at Fountain Valley PD in Orange County, CA , as Police Explorer. He joined the Army after High School, and became a Warrant Officer and helicopter pilot for the Army. He left the Army after his enlistment and came back to Fountain Valley PD as an Officer. He remained active in the Army Reserves, and continued to fly as a weekend warrier. His love for flying and his Army Reserve commander (SBSO Aero Bureau Commander) recruited Don to San Bernardino County Sheriff, and after a year as a probationary Deputy, Don was now flying SBSO airships! Don was a great guy, humble, great family man and dad. Miss our 10-87's to talk about Army life, helicopters, and our love for flying. Got his forever wings much too early. Miss ya, buddy!

Kevin McKeown
Fountain Valley PD (ret)

July 26, 2021

Don and I played together on the same high school sports teams. Both of us ultimately made law enforcement our career choice. Don was a good man and a good friend. The memories of those early days so long ago will never be forgotten. Rest In Peace my friend.

Paul Mundt
Anaheim PD Retired

July 31, 2020

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will always be remembered by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 31, 2020

Although I have no memories of you I still find it appropriate to share my thoughts. As I watch your three beautiful grandchildren scurry about on this Thanksgiving day I can't help but feel so blessed and thankful for their lives. For without you there would be no them. I know that you are smiling down and keeping watch over them. Thank you for all that you did during your short life, I have heard many stories and hope to be at least a little bit like you were. So on this day of giving thanks I find my self grateful for the simple things that never would have been possible without you.

Daniel DeMeulle
Son

November 28, 2019

I am finally Going to put a picture of my brother Don in the Mexico restaurant police room. It has been 32 years since you went to heaven I will see you again I know ❤

Debbi Gomez. Sister
Sister

August 28, 2018

Always thinking of you brother. Through the good and bad.

Tony Nicassio
San Bernardino County Sheriff (Ret.)

July 31, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

July 31, 2018

Donnie always remembering the good times.

Tony Nicassio
San Bernardino Co. Sheriff (Ret.)

August 1, 2015

It has been 29 years. I grieve for the father I never really got to know and the relationship that will never be. They say time heals all wounds, but it doesn't, it just dries them out and leaves a scar. Some times it hurts more than others, other times it's just a distant memory. I will always love you Dad. Until we met again--Kristy

Kristy DeMeulle Iovinelli
Daughter

July 31, 2015

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

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

February 12, 2013

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

Officer 11169

January 21, 2012

You're not forgotten brother.

T.A. Nicassio, Captain
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dept.

July 31, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 24th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service to my home state. 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

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 31, 2010

It is hard believe that it has been twenty three years since the untimely death of Donny. He was a good friend and I miss him. I hope Mary Lou, Donny and Kristy are doing well. "Fly on brother."

Tony Nicassio, Captain
San Bernardino Co. Sheriff's Dept.

August 6, 2009

"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 5, 2007

Don was my beloved brother in law. It was because of Don's constant nudging that I too entered law enforcement. I was in my second month of academy and in class when I was pulled out to go to my sister who was working at Irvine PD and had not been notified yet. That day changed all of us. Not a day goes by that I dont remember Don with great affection and thank God for the blessing of his presence in our lives, if only for such a very short time. His Son Danny is living in Oregon and his daughter Kristy is living in Arizona, both are doing well.

Officer LindaSu McDonald
Seal Beach Police Dept

May 19, 2007

I flew with Don with the 3/4 Cavalry in Hawaii. We shared many exploits and I will always remember Don's mischievous smile and his happy go lucky personality. He was the new officer for our formal "Dining In" Stag Cavalry gathering and as such he was required to recite the poem "Fiddler's Green" the the rest of the Squadron. He was classic, on top of the piano at the officers club. I wish his family well.. I actually found this site because Don's son Danny popped into my head recently and I was compelled to search a little for the family of my good friend, long lost. This website has my permission to forward my email address to Don's family.

CW2 Mike Coverdale
US Army (past)

June 13, 2005

I worked with Don at Fountain Valley PD and knew he would not be happy until he was flying helicopters for a law enforcement agency so when he transferred to San Bernardino SD I knew he was doing what he wanted to do. When I moved on to Irvine I was able to work with his wife and stay connected. I was shocked when Don died and very saddened that not only Law Enforcement lost a fine officer, but that a wife and kids lost a great husband and father. I also lost a friend that day and I think of him every memorial day and visit his grave when I can. Don you are remembered and will always be missed.....Dave

Sgt Dave Mihalik
Irvine PD