Sixteen years ago, Denver Police Detective Donald “Donnie” Young died after he was shot from behind while working off-duty, providing security at the Salon Ocampo in Athmar Park.

Young II is one of 72 members of the Denver Police Department who have lost their lives while in the line of duty since the department’s establishment over 160 years ago. 

To kick off National Police Week, established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy, The Denver Police Museum (DPM) rang in a new tradition as they honored each of the 72 fallen officers by hosting individual ceremonies at their graves at Crown Hill, Riverside, Mt. Olivet, Fairmount and Fort Logan cemeteries Saturday morning. 

“It’s so important to us (to honor and remember these people) because they gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said DPD Division Chief Joe Montoya at Fort Logan National Cemetery. “We understand coming into this job that (death) could ultimately happen, and we always hope that it doesn’t and we get to retire, but it unfortunately doesn’t always happen that way.”

A member of the #DPD places a wreath and flag at the grave of Paul Major who was shot and killed in the line of duty. pic.twitter.com/N2o6dgQgxa

— David Mullen (@mullen_david) May 8, 2021

Family members and friends of fallen officers gathered alongside DPM officials and volunteers. Various Boy Scout Troops drove and walked around each cemetery and placed a picture of each officer, a wreath, a flag and flowers beside each grave. 

Karen Fouts was one person in attendance and came to honor her father, Paul Major, who was fatally shot while pursuing a stolen vehicle suspect in January 1965.

Fouts said that traditionally the department, museum and others place flowers around the individual signs at the location each officer died, but this personalized tribute was even more special.

“It means a lot that people care and are remembering him this way,” Fouts said alongside her husband, daughter, granddaughter and great grandson. “To hold something like this for dad … I just don’t have the words to fully describe how it feels.”‘

Which is exactly what the DPM was attempting to do with this new tradition, said Michael Heese, the museum’s president. 

“We felt it was very important this year to do these ceremonies to assure (each officer’s family and fiends) their loved ones is not forgotten and will never be forgotten,” Heese said. 

In addition to honoring the fallen officers, Heese said it was vitally important to have the youth be a part of the ceremony. At each ceremony, a Boy Scout troop held a flag opening ceremony and were a part of the entire ceremony.

Andria Thomas, one of the Boy Scout Troop 42’s leaders, said the opportunity to have the children be a part of this was too good to miss.

“This gives us an opportunity to introduce the children to law enforcement and the community as we’re a new troop that started during the pandemic,” Thomas said. “But they also get to learn about the sacrifice that our community members make to assure our safety.”

While some like Fouts were there to honor their father, others like Montoya gathered to pay homage to a former division mate and friend. Montoya was accompanied by his wife and other members who served with his fallen companion Young.

“We all worked narcotics together, so we all knew Donnie from that, but he was such a hard worker and had an incredible sense of humor,” Montoya said. “I’m just glad people took some time out of their Saturday to come and pay tribute to our friend.”

And despite this being the first year of the new tradition, Montoya hopes it’s here to stay.

“This was a first this year and I thought it was very nice,” Montoya said. “Hopefully they continue this next year, but if I have any say over it, we’ll have this again next year.”