Detective Sergeant Donald Robert Laabs

My name is also Don. Don Laabs and I met when I returned from Vietnam in 66'. We both got stationed at Ft. Carson. Both of us were from New Jersey and became best friends on the spot. He and I and our wives would get together quite often. When we got out of the Army and went back to New Jersey we would get out to hunt and fish quite often. He started doing some narcotics work with various local Police departments in the area. I know that he felt that things were getting a bit HOT for him here at the time so he went to a couple of other States to do some work. But it didn't matter where he or I was or what he or I was doing we would always track each other down at least once or twice a year. In 1975 I didn't hear from him and by 1976 I never heard from him again and knew something was wrong. When I tried to find him through his parents I found that they had moved and I could find no return address. Through the years I had tried phone info all over the place and found nothing, until 12 or so years ago I found someone living in Colo Springs with the same name, but it wasn't him. He advised me that there had been a police officer in Manitou Springs several years ago with the same name who had been killed in the line of duty. It was my buddy, Don. I called Colo Springs and spoke with Peter Hannon, who told me about his Dad being Don's partner. Don may you rest in peace my friend one day we will fish together again. You have always been in my heart, may God Bless you. Thank you for your military and police service. You are indeed a hero. Your Friend always, Don Salonis

Sp E-5
US Army Vietnam Vet

November 23, 2014