Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia
End of Watch: Thursday, January 7, 1960
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 7, 1960
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to death
Officer Donald Brereton was shot and killed while chasing a man who had just robbed a liquor store at 501 Florida Avenue, NW.
He and his partner were staking out a liquor store when it was robbed by two men. Officer Brereton chased one of the men into an alley where he was ambushed and shot several times. The subject then stole his service weapon before fleeing.
Officer Brereton's partner was also shot and wounded.
The subject who shot Officer Brereton was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to death.
Officer Brereton had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his wife and 1-year-old daughter.