Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I am proud to have known personally and worked professionally with Madison County Sheriff's Investigator Ken McDonald. The night before Ken and myself met at Ken's rental property in Huntsville because I was going to rent a garage apartment in the rear of one of his properties. We later sat in front of the home and drank a beer reflecting on our young careers in law enforcement. The next day, we both were working at the bus station in Huntsville on a stake out when a call for help rang out over the police radio concerning two fellow Madison County Deputies under fire in the north part of the county. I was riding with Lt. Bob Eddy and working with Ken and the rest of the Intelligence Unit when we responded to the call. Upon arrival there was a host of law enforcement officers present from various agencies from across Madison County. The suspect residence was searched with a K-9 unit with negative results and after that the search for the suspect became somewhat disorganized. Shortly after that several shots rang out from the rear of the suspect residence and I ran back to the rear only to find Investigator McDonald had been wounded. Investigator Ken McDonald later passed away from injuries sustained during the confrontation with the shooting suspect. Although I only knew Ken a short time, he was a good friend and was willing to help me in my early law enforcement career. As a result of this tragic event, both the Madison County Sheriff's Department and Huntsville Police Department created S.W.A.T. teams of which I proudly served on the county unit. I was very fortunate to have known Ken and his influence on me back then helped me tremendously. My sincere condolences to Ken McDonald's family and friends.

Special Agent (Retired) Roger L. Grubb
U.S. Customs Service and Dept. of Homeland Security

July 15, 2020

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

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

May 26, 2018

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 26, 2015

ON THIS ANNIVERSARY OF EOW IT IS MY HONOR TO PAY TRIBUTE TO INVESTIGATOR MCDONALD FOR HIS SACRIFICE AND SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY. MAY HIS FAMILY FIND COMFORT IN KNOWING THAT HE IS THOUGHT OF WITH DEEPEST RESPECT, AND MAY THE OFFICERS WHO CARRY ON NEVER FORGET WHAT HE DID.

INV HAROLD HUTCHISON (RETIRED)
HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA POLICE DEPT

May 26, 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

November 13, 2007

"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

July 19, 2007

Rest in Peace, Investigator McDonald. Your sacrifice if not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 26, 2006

Heros live on.

May 26, 2006

As an agency representative for Investigator McDonald I was very honored and proud to be able to pin the flower on the cross at yesterday's Law Enforcement Memorial Service in Huntsville. I have only worked at this agency for 1 year, and I realize the impending danger that you all face every time you carry out the duties of your office. What happened to Investigator McDonald was a tragedy, and I will use this experience to keep his memory alive in my heart and to honor his ultimate dedication to this agency. I am the one who feels honored to have been a small part of the services.

Janet Mayes Records Clerk
Madison Co. Sheriff Office

May 18, 2006

I'll never forget your words of encouragement at our house, on Sunday, the day before your death. It didnt seem possible after watching Susie, Pat, my mom and dad and everyone else there, cuttin up, celebrating the way we all did back then, that in less than 24 hours, we'd get that call that you'd never be coming home. Your death, devastated me, as it did many others. I don't think anyone ever knew the impact it had on me. I never really talked to anyone about it.

You were so full of life that evening at our house. I was a nieve teenager thinking about being a COP, thinking I could make a difference. You said it was a hard job but that it was up to me, if I wanted to make a difference. You said I could be anything I wanted to be. Because of you I did become a COP, now 24 years into the job. I think I've done a good job. Its because of role models like you that enables others to strive to be better people, each day. I wonder some times if you hadn't died that night, how things would have turned out. Your death was an accident but the results were life saving. I dont know the reason why my hero died that night but I'd like to think it still lives on in each opportunity I have to make a difference in someone elses life . . . just like you said! We'll see you again some day, we all miss you.

Jimmy

Chief Jim Finn
Calera PD

February 25, 2005