Denver Police Department, Colorado
End of Watch: Sunday, May 8, 2005
Age: 43
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Badge Number: 93021
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 8, 2005
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 80 years
Detective Donald Young was shot and killed at a rental hall on West Mississippi Street.
He and another officer were in uniform, working an off duty job at a private celebration, when a man approached both officers from behind and opened fire on them in an unprovoked attack. The shooting occurred at approximately 0100 hours as patrons were leaving as the event ended. Detective Young was killed and the second officer was wounded.
The suspect fled the scene, but was captured on June 5th, 2005, in Culiacan on the western coast of Mexico. U.S. Marshals and Mexican authorities located and arrested him without incident. The suspect was sentenced to 80 years in prison on October 25, 2005.
Detective Young had served with the Denver Police Department for 12 years, and was assigned to the Fugitive / Bomb Unit. He is survived by his wife, two young daughters, and a son.