Thanks for posting the pertinent info Gunny. I have already posted my immediate thoughts when I first read about the horrible news, but I feel the need to reflect somewhat.
When I first saw the post, Death of a TDR Member, I almost skipped it, but then saw you started the thread and my first thought was of Don, as I know through past emails with Don that you were very close. My wife came into the room and saw me at the computer, deeply saddened and asked what was wrong. I told that a fellow member of the TDR had just passed and she asked who. I told her it was Don, the retired CHP officer and she immediately knew who I was speaking of. She left me with my thoughts for awhile and recounted the many emails that Don and I shared, everything from his troubles with the gauges he first put in his new truck, to his plumbing mishaps, to Police work. Most of our emails centered on Police work.
I still recall his first email, when I was debating the topic of M. V. stops with another member on a thread in the TDR. Don sent me an email that simply stated " You done good". I can tell you, without never actually meeting the man, that Don was a Cops Cop. This probably won't mean much to those outside of the LE community, but for those that are, you know exactly what I mean.
I'll miss his never ending humor, his always reassuring private messages and emails. I'll miss knowing a man that was an Officer when I was still young, and one that did the job back when Officers took the oath to protect and serve because they felt they could make a difference, not for the dollars.
As I sit here typing these reply, I'm crying. A street hardened Police Officer with 16 years on the job. I've seen it all, death, the destruction of 911 up close and personal, family abuse, countless tales domestic violence and child abuse, etc. , never really got to me, yet the passing of a man that I really didn't know well has me crying, which something that doesn't happen much, if at all. That's the way Don touched my life.
God Bless you Don, be safe brother. I know you will.
Scott W.
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