Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia
End of Watch Thursday, January 7, 1960
Add to My HeroesDonald Joseph Brereton
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 was a United States Army veteran of World War II and had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his wife and 1-year-old daughter.
He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Bio
- Age 31
- Tour 7 years
- Badge 1609
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Sentenced to death
Most Recent Reflection
View all 14 ReflectionsOfficer Brereton,
On today the 65th anniversary of your desth I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served as a U.S. Army Paratrooper. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
Airborne All The Way!
BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)
January 7, 2025
Recent LODD Deaths
Deputy Sheriff Jesus Vargas
Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: January 15, 2025
Police Officer II Colton Dale Pulsipher
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, NV
EOW: December 12, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Timothy Corlew
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: January 8, 2025
Lieutenant Mark Meadows
Irondale Police Department, AL
EOW: January 6, 2025
Senior Investigator John L. Carey
New York State Police, NY
EOW: October 24, 2024
Correction Officer Andrew Lansing
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, OH
EOW: December 25, 2024
Trooper Clay M. Carns
Illinois State Police, IL
EOW: December 23, 2024
Police Officer Michael Horan
Greensboro Police Department, NC
EOW: December 23, 2024
Air Interdiction Agent Jeffrey Kanas
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Air and Marine Operations, US
EOW: December 16, 2024