Officer Martin I. Donovan, Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia

Officer Martin I. Donovan

Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia

End of Watch Thursday, July 9, 1964

Martin I. Donovan

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 US military veteran and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, child, four brothers, and four sisters.

Bio

Age 28
Tour Not available
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Apprehended

Most Recent Reflection

View all 17 Reflections

Officer Donovan, Sir,
Though we have never met, our families will forever share a bond in that Routine turned to Tragedy on the fateful day of July 9, 1964.
Maine State Trooper Charles C. Black, my Dad, was shot and killed responding to a bank robbery fifty four years ago tomorrow. Three weeks before I was born, my life was struck by tragedy that would take me a half century to come to grips with, on the same day that your family was answering unexpected knocks on the door by Officers holding back tears as they shared the news of the day’stragic events.
Thinking of you and your family today and every day.
Your sacrifice will never be forgotten,
If I make it back to D.C., your gravesite at Arlington will be a must see stop for me, my promise.
You are never forgotten.

Charles C. Black II
Son of Maine State Trooper Charles C. Black EOW 7/9/64

July 8, 2018