Speakers remember the 52-year-old fallen officer as devoted to his family and career in law enforcement
Det. Shane Hall stated simply and succinctly Tuesday before a packed crowd gathered at the ilani Casino Resort for the Memorial Service of Vancouver Police Department Officer Donald Sahota.
“He’s brought honor to his family, his department and his community,’’ Det. Hall said of the 52-year-old Sahota, who died Jan. 29 after being shot by a fellow law enforcement officer while off duty after attempting to fight off a robbery suspect that had come to his Battle Ground home while attempting to elude pursuit of other units.
“Don, I thank you for your example, for your generosity, your friendship,’’ Hall said Tuesday. “Your friends, coworkers and community will always keep you in their thoughts.’’
Hall and other speakers, including Sahota’s two children and son-in-law, painted a picture of a man devoted to his long career in law enforcement, but also one who was staunchly committed to his family and their life outside of his career.
“Let us remember Don on this day, but let us also remember Don in the simple pleasures of life the way he would have enjoyed them,’’ Hall said. “The next time you dip your toes into a tropical beach, or your boots into the stirrups of a saddle; next time you hear a small plane gliding amongst the clouds; the next time you plant something in the garden. Don will love you and we miss you and we will never forget you.’’
A Memorial Procession started Tuesday morning from Crossroads Church in Vancouver. Dozens of law enforcement vehicles participated along the route, first along I-205 and then I-5 north to the ilani Casino Resort for his Memorial Service.
Vancouver Police Department Chief James McElvain was the first of the speakers.
“I’m truly devastated by the loss of Don,’’ McElvain said. “I have no words to fill the void he has left behind other than I am so sorry for our loss. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Sahota family for sharing Don with us and the communities he served.’’
Chief McElvain shared an anecdote that was born in the testimony of those who spoke recently at a candlelight vigil held in Sahota’s honor.
“Don was a helper,’’ McElvain said. “To borrow a quote from Mr. Rogers, he stated ‘when I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me look for the helpers.’ You will always find people who are helping. While the situation might not always have been scary, Don was always there helping.’’
McElvain said that Sahota was the third person he had the honor of hiring in his time at the Vancouver Police Department.
“Since then, we have hired more than 225 officers and professional staff,’’ McElvain said while referencing a photo of the two when Sahota was hired. “I will keep this photo of Don and I in my office in honor of Don, his family and the PD family.
“Don dedicated nearly 28 years of his life to law enforcement; for that we are forever grateful,’’ McElvain said.
Officer Robin Brown described herself as Sahota’s beat partner until about a month ago when she transferred out of the state.
“I’ve been very lucky to consider him a friend and not just a partner,’’ Brown said.
Brown recalled a call the two answered.
“Don and I arrived at the same time and found the suspect outside the store,’’ Brown said. “He chased him for about four blocks.’’
After catching the suspect, and taking him into custody, Sahota couldn’t help giving his partner a little bit of a hard time.
“Don started giving me crap,’’ Brown joked. “He said, ‘the old guy caught him.’ Don always kept himself in shape, even for an old guy.’’
Brown also helped to paint Sahota as a man devoted to his wife Dawnese and children Colton and Kylie. The officer recalled a past conversation she had with Sahota after Dawnese had a bout with cancer.
“We were standing in a parking lot talking,’’ Brown said. “He told me how much he loved Dawnese and (how much) he loved his kids. He told me how thankful he was for his PD family who donated vacation hours so he could be home with his wife and family. He reminded me to spend time with family and hold on tightly to them because family was more important than anything. His priority was on being with his family and enjoying his life.’’
Det. Hall added that Sahota was “a selfless man.’’
“There are a lot of different types of friends in life; the fun friend, the listener, the wise one, the loyal one,’’ Hall said. “Don was the one who made me want to be a better person. There was a piece of his generosity I took with me each time we spoke. His kindness inspired me to change a little with each visit. I admired that part of Don I wanted to spend more time around him and I wanted to be more like him.’’
Like Brown, Hall shared that Sahota had often spoken of his love for his wife Dawnese.
“He said, ‘I married the right woman,’’’ Hall said Sahota told him. “When Don spoke of Dawnese, there was often a hint of reverence in how he spoke her name. It was as if he refused to let it be tarnished or disrespected in the slightest degree.’’
Hall also marveled at the grace Dawnese and the Sahota family have shown since his death.
“Dawnese has been mindful, not just about the family, but everyone who has been affected by this tragedy,’’ Hall said. “In her darkest moments, when most would turn inward, she finds a way to look out, thinking of others who may be suffering. Not just her. I’ve seen it with her children too … All have been united in this sentiment and joined with Dawnese in the concern for the welfare of all who are experiencing anguish.’’
James Reinhardt had been Sahota’s good friend since 2009.
“Above all, Don was a family man. That was clear to anyone who knew him,’’ Reinhardt said. “He loved his family crazy. His motivation for the things he did was all around his family and their well-being. Don was a man you wanted to pattern your life after. He commanded respect through his actions, not just his words.’’
Reinhardt shared the words of King Solomon.
“As iron sharpens iron, so does one man sharpen another,’’ Reinhardt stated. “That was the effect Don had on us. He wanted us to do better and be better.’’
On behalf of the Sahota, Donald’s son Colton expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support the family has received.
“On behalf of me and my family, I would like to begin by thanking everyone who is here today as well as those who have sent their condolences,’’ Colton Sahota said. “We’ve received countless phone calls, emails, text messages and cards from people expressing their desire to help. Everyone’s support has been very comforting during this difficult time and the vast amount of people offering their assistance is a reminder of the impact my dad had on so many.
“I’m just thankful I was given 18 wonderful years with him,’’ Colton said.
Sahota’s daughter Kylie DaCunha, said of her father: “He was a protector through and through, for me and everybody else. I felt I would always be safe with my dad around.’’
Kylie said that when her dad’s hair began to turn gray and he grew out his beard, the family affectionately began to call him “Battle Santa.’’
“That’s who he was,’’ she said. “He was this happy, jolly guy who would do anything to help and protect others including laying down his own life.’’
Kylie’s husband, Devin DaCunha, said he was not saying “good bye” to his father-in-law.
“Don was a true servant and I say that in the greatest sense of what it means,’’ Devin said. “He loved his family and his community. He’s been an amazing role model and example.’’
DaCunha and others spoke of Donald Sahota’s childhood and how he had overcome obstacles and challenges to become the law enforcement officer and family man that he had become.
“The choices he had to make and the path he walked made him a man of integrity and honesty as well as the faithfulness that it carved deep in him,’’ Devin said. “I’m so thankful to have known Don Sahota. He will be long missed and never forgotten. I believe my God is good and His word is true. So, ‘see you later.’’’
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