Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rip Brother

Sgt. JOHN S. TUNNELL, RETIRED
Webster County, Missouri Sheriff

July 12, 2020

Remember the incident as though it was yesterday.
I was not on duty at the time it was a very sad day.

Detective Jerry Reynard (retired)
Ann Arbor Police Dep. 61/91

July 11, 2020

Rest in peace hero.

J.R.

July 11, 2020

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

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

July 11, 2020

Rest in peace Patrolman Downing.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 11, 2019

Officer Downing was my primary tng officer when a rookie at YPD. He cared about the citizens, about me and about the YPD. I have thought about him frequently ever since the day of the incident and expect I always will. I retired from the YPD in 1992 having benefited from training with Officer Downing.

Jim MacMillan
Ypsilanti, Michigan Police (retired.)

April 5, 2019

I remember Officer Downing. About 1 week before he was murdered he responded to our house. Some older kids had thrown rocks and split my head. I was 8 years old and he sat me on his lap and reassured me that it was not my fault. One week latter we were walking to the bank on Michigan Ave and actually witnessed the second bank robber get shot and killed. I have never forgotten Officer Downing. He left such an impression on me that I joined the Marine Corps and apon leaving the Corps I spent the next 24 years in law enforcement as both a Police Officer and then for the State Of Michigan as a Lieutenant for the Department of Corrections!!! This is how much of an impression that you left on me. Semper Fi Marine! RIP! Lieutenant Michael Richards

Lieutenant Michael Richards
MDOC

March 10, 2017

Doug, I think about you every day..I remember how you treated me
as a Rookie even though you only had a month on me. I laugh at some of our memories, and cry at others..I will never forget you..Semper Fi Marine

Sgt. Vernon M. Usher II
Ypsilanti Police Dept. Retired

July 13, 2015

Rest in Peace my brother...you have served your country well.

Sergeant Barton
Garden City PD

July 3, 2015

Doug, My Dad Bert was your colleague. An officer at EMUPD who also carried a YPD badge and WCSD badge, you were part of the family. Your Widow Jo Ann sold us your Glasstron boat and our friend, my Friend Ron, was at the front door with an assault rifle ending the life of one perp and knocking the spine out of the other... we are thankful for your service, and my Dad went on to the be only officer of EMUPD to serve 30 year ( R.I.P )

Dave Arbogast
family friend

March 26, 2015

I was just a young teenager the day officer Downing gave his life in the line of duty. I still remember the police cars coming down our street, Parkwood, searching for the fleeing bank robbers. I remember that it was very sobering to me to know that an officer had died. My father helped me understand what had happened. This was a powerful memory from my childhood, so I am trying to learn more about what happened that day and about brave officer Downing who made the ultimate sacrifice. I would like to know more about officer Downing and the details of this event but I am not sure where to look. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. He may be gone but he should not be forgotten.

Douglas Hall
Ypsilanti resident

June 10, 2014

Doug,
When you died it was the worst day of my life. My laughter died. There's not a day goes by I don't think of July 11, 1975.

Detective Joe Condron
Ypsilanti City P.D. A friend

April 30, 2014

I was 9 years old when this happened, my father, Bruce Dohms was his partner, and with him when this happened. I remember my mom and dad going to the funeral, and saying that it was a funeral like no other. My dad was a police officer for 4 years after that, and in 1979 we moved out west, and never returned to Michigan again. My dad never really spoke of Doug's death much, only when asked, and then he answered, and no more was said. I couldn't imagine the trauma of seeing someone you worked with killed. I hope Doug will always be remembered and that his family has peace.

Debbie Dohms Mauldin
Daughter of father who was on the police force

December 1, 2013

I worked for a neighboring agency in Washternaw County and I had mmorning coffee with Doug. We both werre traffic officers in our respective depts. We had just finished a advanced school on accident investigation. Doug and I were sort of excited to put our new knowledge to work. Doug was an easy going profesional who loved his job. He was fun to work with we had helped each other out at times on accident sites. His loss was a loss for all.

(Former) Deputy Sheriff Larry Mason
Washtenaw County Sheriff Department, Ann Arbor, MI

June 20, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 38th anniversary year 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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) Officer Larry Lasater

January 6, 2013

Patrolman Downing,
On today, the 34th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Ypsilanti. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous

July 11, 2009

I was there...shots were firing...you layed so still, yet I was safe. I have never forgotten your name and have raised three young men to honor and respect our police officers. Now, I can say thank you to you and your family who lost so much.
Never Forgotten... Always honored!
THANK YOU...
Pat Roy

Pat Roy
I was there...citizen

March 30, 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

November 26, 2007

I have never forgotten you. You will alway's be in my heart.
You made everyone happy to be with you.
LOVE YA,

Jo Ann
Wife

May 21, 2007

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies.....

Rest in peace, hero.

April 26, 2005

I will never forget you standing by the back counter as officers reported for duty and grumpy or half asleep and you always had a new joke to make us laugh.
always the first to help officers and citizens. I knew you for 7 years, we fished together and I will never forget the day you tried to drown me teaching me scuba diving, Doug you forgot to fill the empty tank. No matter how bad our days were Doug would always get us to Laugh.

Det Steve Levinski Retired
Ypsilanti Police Dept

November 24, 2004

Douglas,
You will NEVER be forgotten by your brothers and sisters. Thank you for your service. May God bless you and your family..

Your Brothers and Sisters in Blue and Brown.

SGT Phil Abdoo
Macomb County Sheriff's Office

October 21, 2004

Peace, Patrolman. Thank your for your service. Gone, but not forgotten, and always appreciated. Rest in peace, sir.

Michigan Citizen

September 10, 2004

Time has not forgotten you and it shall never.
god bless you and your family left behind.

Deputy Constable LC Downing
Wharton County Texas Pct 2