Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sheriff Douglass,
Your memory and service continue to live on. We learn from your sacrifice and pay our respects regularly at your memorial in the woods. Thank you sir. We've got the watch.

Detective Rory Sonnier
Nevada County Sheriff's Office

August 5, 2022

Sheriff Douglass,
On today, the 125th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Nevada County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

July 26, 2021

Sheriff David Fulton Douglass was my great-grandmother's younger half-brother. He was named after his uncle, Gen. David F. Douglass, who came to California in 1848 with Colonel Graham after fighting in the war with Mexico and became one of the first California State Senators. Sheriff Douglass's father was my gg-grandfather, Norval Douglass, born in Gallatin, Tennessee in 1822, arrived in California via the Isthmus of Panama in 1850, married Sheriff Douglass's mother Joanna Dillon in 1855, at one point rode shotgun on the Wells Fargo stage into Nevada and nobody daring mess with his route; died in Sacramento Co. in 1911.

Mary Gill Smith
great-grandniece

July 27, 2020

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

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

July 26, 2020

I stumbled upon this memorial when I was 15 years old riding my dirt bike in the woods. Now a Deputy Sheriff myself who also often works alone in very remote areas, I stop by to pay my respects when in the area to visit family.

Sheriff Douglass,
Thank you for your brave service.

Gabriel Garrison, Deputy Sheriff
Siskiyou County Sheriffs Department.

December 31, 2019

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

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

July 26, 2018

I believe Sheriff Douglass was my Great Great Grandfather. If anyone knows if Sheriff Douglass was originally an immigrant from Mexico, born of a Scottish father, then he is my Great Great Grandfather. I believe his surviving son was a pharmacist in Visalia, CA.

Thank you,
David Douglass

DAVID DOUGLASS
Relative

July 15, 2017

Thank you to the family of Sheriff Douglas and to Sheriff Douglas. You are in my prayers.

Theresa Kingsbury Correctional Sgt.
Nevada County Jail

August 1, 2016

Sheriff Douglass was my great grandfather, and our family was always proud to hear the story of his courage. His killer came forward many decades later. The killer was 12 years old when he shot my great grandfather. He was traveling with the bandit and shot the sheriff in a panic after the gunfight. When I was 12, a lawyer for that man, who was then in his 80's, called our house to tell my dad about the confession. The lawyer said the man wanted the Sheriffs' descendants to know who had killed him. http://www.nevadacounty.com/1896-sheriff-david-fulton-douglass-is-killed-in-the-line-of-duty/. I am proud to say that today my own daughter is married to a police officer.

Linda Douglass (not in law enforcement)
great granddaughter of Sheriff Douglass

January 19, 2015

I am a retired Nevada County Deputy Sheriff. When I was a training officer, I would take new Deputies to this memorial and have them reflect on the scenario of the ambush. If his untimely death saves one life today, his death was not in vain. Sheriff Douglass remains the only Nevada County Sheriffs Dept. member to ever be lost in the line of duty. Several years ago, The Dept. adopted a new badgebased on the badge Sheriff Douglass wore, a five pointed star inside a circle., similar to the Texas Ranger badge. This replaced the long worn six pointed star badge.

Mike Jewell, Retired NCSO Deputy
Nevada County Sheriff's Dept.

November 3, 2014

I am is Great-Great Granddaughter and I found out I resemble his looks; like he could have been my father. I'm honored to be his family. He was an honorable man toward his community and a humanitarian in his days and I believe he was set up for his death.

Debra L. Chapman Beal
Great-Great Granddaughter

August 27, 2013

Thank you Sheriff Douglas for your bravery so many years ago. May God bless you forever.

Patrick Norman

June 22, 2013

To help the defenseless and the weak
A cruel outlaw he went to seek
Alone he went on that fateful day
Two men died, one ran away

The birds and the trees and the angels cried
On sacred ground the law man lies
Today we watched a hero die

Thank you, sheriff and to those like you
Who protect us, we stand with you
Each day, for us, you risk your lives
May God watch you by day and night

The birds and the trees and the angels cried
On sacred ground the law man lies
Today we watched a hero die
So selflessly, you gave your life
May God bless you with peace and light

Dennis Rosen, Bala Cynwyd PA
I visited Nevada City - was inspired by the monument and his heroism

September 7, 2012

Rest in Peace, Sheriff Douglass. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 16, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 114th 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

January 7, 2010

On the 120th anniversary of Sheriff Douglass' death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Sheriff Douglass is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

January 1, 2009

No fellow California law enforcement personnel killed in the line-of-duty, should be forgotten.

Officer Douglas, may Your Soul Rest-In-Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

January 1, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

December 29, 2007

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003). Unfortunately, I had to add the name of another friend recently. Deputy Jeffery Hewitt, Buncombe County (NC) Sheriff’s Department, E.O.W. April 4, 2004.

I want to honor all of those who gave their life in the line of duty. Although your death was many many years ago, you are still a hero.

God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti Ingle (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 9, 2004