Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sgt. Rath, Thank you for sharing Don’s eow story to the youth in our community. I wish you could have known Don, he was a true inspiration to everyone that got to know him. Since childhood it was always his dream to become an officer. As soon as he graduated from high school he immediately began looking toward this goal to be a Phoenix police officer and he began taking classes at Phoenix College. Knowing that he could not get into the highly competitive Phoenix PD force Don decided to join the Air Force and he spent the next four years as a Security Police Officer for the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Casper Wyoming for two years, spent a year overseas in Turkey, and then came back to Arizona and spent his last year at Davis Monthan AF base in Tucson. Don loved the great outdoors camping, fishing, archery, hunting, swimming and scuba diving. Don had a passion for life that is rarely seen in people. He lived each and every day to the fullest and was a true inspiration to any officer on the force. After a few years on patrol he immediately set his focus on becoming a motorcycle officer where he spent a few years on a bike in South Phoenix before getting transferred to North Phoenix. Don was never satisified and always pushed himself above and beyond in everything that he has done and he then set his sights on the elite nine member dive team and went back to school to train to learn to fly a helicopter and worked his way into the Phoenix Police Department’s eye in the sky ranks. He was an amazing person and I am sorry Sgt. Rath that you were never able to get to know this amazing man that was my friend. He was a special man. When you are telling our youth about Don please tell them that the most amazing thing of all about Don is he lived his life to the fullest in and out of his uniform. He never let no prevent him from accomplishing any goal that he ever set for himself. If he told you he was going to do something, you better know he was going to do it and he was going to be one of the best at it when he did. Tell them to live there life to the fullest and never be afraid to dream and dream big and then go after those dreams and never let anyone stop you from getting those dreams.

Annonymous
Friend

May 17, 2012

Uncle Don, 8 years is too long without you. I always looked forward to coming to visit with you and Aunt Lisa. A lot has happened since we lost you. There have been other losses in the family and happy additions as well. I really wish my daughter could meet you. But I promise she will get to know you just as I have told my step kids about you. I know you are now where you need to be and we can all find comfort in knowing you are looking over us. Miss you every day.

Phil
Ne

May 13, 2012

8 years is tough, a lot has happened in our family. There have been losses and new additions. I really wish you were here to meet my daughter and niece. There is a regular baby boom going on here! But I know you are where you belong now and we find comfort in knowing you are watching over us.

Phil
Nephew

May 13, 2012

It's always hard this time of year, we all find ourselves missing you and remembering all the fun times we had with you. Thank you for those memories. You made such an impact on all of us.

Jennifer
Niece

May 10, 2012

Didn't know you Don, just to let you know that we are having a tribute to you and those like you this saturday in 400. Hopefully we will convey to the youngsters that officers have the best interest of the community in mind. I will share your eow story with those youngsters so they will know that real people give their lives selflessly for others. Rest easy, see you in the Kingdom!

Sgt. Gregg Rath 5789
Phoenix Pd

May 10, 2012

Eight years ago today I got that dreaded knock on the door no one wants to get. When I close my eyes it all comes back, even more so now. To you my dear, for the all too short of a life you had and even shorter time we had together. Thank you for a wonderful, full life!

Lisa

May 10, 2012

Sitting here missing you like crazy as that dreadful anniversary date is once again approaching! I miss you like crazy my friend! I know we will meet again and until then I will live each and every day to the fullest as you taught me to do while you were here with us! I love you my friend!!!

Annonymous

May 5, 2012

Don, tonight I am remebering all those times when we were growing up and we spent New Years Eve together. Your memory has been close to my heart tonight my friend. I miss you deeply. I miss your practical jokes, and the sunshine you always brought to those around you. You taught us all how to live life to the fullest by continually showing us to always strive for the moon. That is one lesson that I will always be grateful to you for. Lisa you are in my thoughts as well tonight. I have never met you, but I know that Don loved you deeply and I am grateful that you brought so much happiness in his life. My thoughts are with you tonight as well, as I am sure you are missing this amazing man as well tonight. It is hard to believe that it will soon be 8 years since we lost him. He was taken from us way too soon. May god bless you. Until we meet again my friend, R.I.P. Love and miss you you dearly

Anonymous
Friend

January 1, 2012

As I flew over the city tonight on patrol, I found myself sharing stories of you with my partner. It was always a pleasure to see your name next to mine on the flight schedule as I knew it would be a fun night. I miss your skills as a pilot, your knowledge as a cop, and your compassion as a person. I miss you, my friend.

BB
Phoenix PD

August 30, 2011

Rest in peace, Sir. Thank you for your service. Condolences to the family and friends of this great man.

K. Shelton

June 19, 2011

We all still miss you so very much. We wish you were here with us. It seems like just yesterday that we were out hiking and goofing around.

Jennifer
Niece

May 18, 2011

Still in our hearts! We miss you Don.

LTF

May 10, 2011

From the bottom of my heart Thank You to all who have added to Don's ODMP page over the years.

Lisa Schultz
wife of Don Schultz Phoenix PD 4410 EOW 5-12-2004

December 4, 2010

After reading the post from anonymous from the 71J squad, your posting got to me. Thank you for your kind words and rememberence of Don. It is sad that no one in your squad had the opportunity to ever meet Don. Don was an amazing police officer. Ever since he was a kid he knew that he wanted to join the force. His brother in law Mark was an officer in Glendale and he thought it was the coolest thing to be an officer. As soon as Don graduated from Shadow Mountain, he began classes at Phoenix College. And when he realized how competitive the admission process was to join Phoenix PD, he talked his best friend Sam into joining the Air Force with him so they could get that competitive edge. Don spent four years in the Air Force, in Wyoming, Turkey, and Tucson. In October 1984, Don got out of the Air Force and immediately began his pursuit of becoming a Phoenix PD officer. He was so excited the day he learned he was selected. It was his lifelong dream and he accomplished it. But Don didn't stop there. Don always looked to accomplish more. He LOVED the challenge of always doing things to their fullest. In his years on the force Don proudly served on the motorcycle division, he was one of 9 team members on the dive team, and went back to school and received his helicopter license and became an eye in the sky on the force to aid all the officers on the force. Outside of the department, Don was an avid hunter, he loved to scuba dive, and was an adrenaline junky for 'fast cars' and 'fast motorcycles'. Don was a great friend, and a real hero. As I said it is sad that your squad did not know him, because you would have known a truly amazing man. He was an amazing officer, who lived life to the fullest, doing what he loved everyday.

Anonymous

October 30, 2010

Officer Schultz, thank you for your service, sacrifice and bravery to the citizens of Arizona. May your family always know that you are, and always will be a HERO. Rest in peace brother, we'll take it from here.

Trooper
Louisiana State Police

June 7, 2010

I miss you. My fiance and I hope to move out to Arizona soon, and it would have been so awesome to have just one more hiking adventure with you. I hope heaven has mountains to climb!

Jenny
Niece

May 28, 2010

Last night our squad stood silently at 19th Avenue & Hatcher and honored your memory. It has been six years to the day that you answered the call and made the ultimate sacrifice. While none of us had the privilege to know you, we will never forget and you will live on in our hearts.

- 71J Squad

Anonymous

May 13, 2010

Don,
Six years ago you left for work and never came home. No matter where I go or what I do you will always have a piece of my heart. You will never be forgotten.
Lisa

Lisa
wife

May 10, 2010

Don,
Every time I see a helicopter I think of you. It was an honor to serve and fly with you.

Al Nordeen

Officer Al Nordeen

April 1, 2010

Don,

You would be pleased to know that Jenny is working on submitting her internships for police work this summer. She graduates college in August, and despite her knee surgery, she is determined to pass the academy physical. You & Aunt Lisa are still her role models. I think you'd be proud of her.
Your sister in law & friend

Cindy Constien

January 4, 2010

We think about you everyday. You are greatly missed. Someday we will meet again my friend.

LTF

September 26, 2009

Miss you!!

Anonymous

May 14, 2009

May God bless you and your family on this 5 year anniversary. Thank you & your family for your service and your sacrifice Officer Schultz.
Lisa Prince

Cpl. Prince
VPAPD

May 12, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the fifth anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

May 12, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the fifth anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

May 12, 2009