Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia
End of Watch: Thursday, July 9, 1964
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 9, 1964
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Apprehended
Officer Martin Donovan was shot and killed when a mentally disturbed man attacked him without provocation.
He was on foot patrol on 14th Street, NW, just south of Thomas Circle, when the man tackled him and gained control of his weapon. The subject claimed the reason he attacked Officer Donovan was because the police uniform "bugged" him.
Officer Donovan was a U.S. Army Military Police veteran and had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for four years. He is survived by his wife, child, four brothers, and four sisters.
He is buried at Arlington Cemetary.