Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

After 64 years with a need for closure on Trooper Ronald John Donahue, my big brother’s death, I have finally heard the truth. I thank the NYS assistant Superintendent to the BCI, Colonel James Barnes, for the time he spent with me and my husband with the facts on Ron’s death. May he realize how grateful I am to finally have closure and May God protect him everyday in his position.

Patricia Donahue Vallejo
Sister

August 1, 2023

I just read all of the beautiful comments regarding my big brother’s death. I find solace in doing this often. My heart goes out to the Mother of Officer Larry Lasater who was murdered in the line of duty as it does for all of the families of a fallen Police Officer. My heart also is filled with love for each of you who has taken time to express your thoughts about my brother, Trooper Ronald J. Donahue. Never a day goes by that I don’t think of the “what ifs” had Ron lived. My Mom, Dad, sister, brother-in - law, and sister - in -law have joined my brother in Heaven now. It has to be amazing for all of them to be at Home in Heaven with each other. They, too, mourned Ron’s death to the end. Before I pass, I pray I will know the honest truth about Ron’s death. I am haunted by the different stories I have heard. I am not out to hate anyone, I just feel our family was left in the dark regarding why Mr. Papineau was only placed on such an easy charge. In closing, I just wish each of you who wrote or is reading this could have known my brother. I would need to write a book to explain why he was so loved by family and friends. May God bless each man and woman who so bravely serves to better our law enforcement and firefighters who continue to put their lives in jeopardy….as well as the clergy and physicians who are always here to help. I love my brother and in the past 64 years since his death I have never forgotten the beautiful memories Ron left us with.

Patricia Donahue Vallejo
Sister

July 22, 2023

Shot two troopers, killing one, and his penalty after conviction was five years probation?

And we think the criminal justice system in NYS is screwed up today?

William Lair, Staff Inspector
NYSP

June 13, 2022

Dear Uncle Ron, I wish I was old enough to remember you. The day you went home a huge hole was left in all our hearts. As I sit here today with sadness that your beautiful sister Joan is going to be leaving us soon, please take her hand and lead her to our heavenly home to be reunited with all her loved ones. What a glorious reunion that will be. Happy Birthday Uncle Ron. We love and miss you.

Lydia Moore
Niece

May 10, 2022

Rest in peace Trooper Donahue.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 23, 2021

Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry, proclaimed, “Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13 ESV]

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, D.Div, MSBS, NCCA
Ordained/Licensed Independent Christian Clergy
Merrimack, NH 03054

Captain Steven R. Closs (Ret.)
Nashua NH Police Department

February 24, 2021

Trooper Donahue,
On today, the 60th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of New York. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

May 23, 2019

Trooper Ronald J. Donahue will never ever be forgotten. Thank you for your service sir.
May your soul rest in Heaven, and may God bless your family, especially your baby sister Patti Donahue Vallejo.

First Sergeant Thomas Webb (Retired)
New York State Police - Troop D

March 25, 2018

Happy birthday to my brother, Ronald J.Donahue. Not a day goes by without a beautiful memory of my big brother. I am so proud of your bravery. Your watch was over on May 23, 1959, but you always remain in our hearts. Semiper Fi....
Love from your baby sister.

Patricia Vallejo
Sister

July 29, 2017

Happy birthday to my brother, Ronald J. Donahue.....Heaven must be so beautiful.....someday we will be together watching over our loved ones here on earth. He was so brave and my hero on May 23, 1959 when his life was ended but his memories always I've on in our hearts. May God watch over all state troopers.

Patricia Vallejo
Sister

July 29, 2016

Every month the New York State Police Superintendent sends out a email to every member of the State Police reminding us of the sacrafices made by the men and woman who came before us. This month I read your brothers name like I have every year in the month of May. I think of their families, the struggles of losing a loved one and I reflect on my own family. I hope this offers you some solice knowing 4,700 Troopers remember your brother on this day.

Trooper Michael Koerner
NYSP

May 23, 2016

May 23 is near and I am thinking of my brother with love and respect. You will always be my hero big brother. I wish we were together, but God needed you and I know you are watching over me. I love you and so proud of you.

Pat Vallejo
Sister

May 21, 2016

I cannot begin to imagine what it was like for my Mom and Dad to lose their son, Trooper Ronald Donahue. I am one of his sisters and everyday I miss him. Justice was not done in this, but I have learned to forgive....not forget.

Patricia Vallejo
Sister

March 5, 2016

Happy 79th birthday. I will always love you.

Ant jane
Loved one

July 29, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 23, 2015

Trooper, I was only a year old when your life was taken. Now at 56 years old I read the reflections left by family and friends and it is obvious you are loved and missed. The 5 year probation seems unthinkable, even now these many years later. Rest easy sir, we will not forget.

Captain Mike McAllister
Washington State Firefighter

February 23, 2015

It is nearing Christmas 2013. As I sit in my chair and marvel at our tree, I remember so many special Christmas trees that my big brother, Ron Donahue adorned our family livingroom with after a very long search in the nearby woods of Moriah. He lives in my heart and I know he is an Angel with Jesus. Merry Christmas Ron...you are my hero.

Patti
baby sister

December 16, 2013

It is nearing Christmas 2013. As I sit in my chair and marvel at our tree, I remember so many special Christmas trees that my big brother, Ron Donahue adorned our family livingroom with after a very long search in the nearby woods of Moriah. He lives in my heart and I know he is an Angel with Jesus. Merry Christmas Ron...you are my hero.

Patti
baby sister

December 15, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 53rd 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. An absolute travesty of justice occurred in your case which warranted the outrage of your agency, your family and friends, and your community. It was appalling and sickens me today.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

May 23, 2012

TROOPER DONAHUE, YOU HAVE SERVED WELL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU NEVER BE FORGOTTEN FOR YOUR SACRIFICE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. GOD BLESS.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

November 30, 2010

Although I never knew you, you were part of my Law Enforcement Family, and I will mourn your loss all the days of my life. I am so terribly sorry that this happened and, what adds so much to that hurt, is that we, as Law Enforcement, were unable to bring true justice for you. But God will, and we draw comfort from that. No matter how many years pass, your memory is forever in our hearts, and we continue the good fight for you. Thank you for doing your very best, though the price was so high.

Vicki Hare, Telecommunicator
Salisbury NC PD

August 8, 2009

I said a little prayer today for Trooper Donahue and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes

May 22, 2009

Just ready your profile and am in total disbelief..... Rest in peace sir, you will never be forgotten.

L.W.
Winston-Salem N.C. Police

April 6, 2009

Trooper Donahue you are not forgotten. Rest in peace, sir.

Ret. Det. Joe Zimmerman
Oakland PD, NJ

June 13, 2007

I will always be so very proud of the unselfish bravery of my "Big" brother.

Mrs. Patricia Donahue Vallejo

January 12, 2006