Trooper Donald Charles Cleveland, Louisiana State Police, Louisiana

Trooper Donald Charles Cleveland

Louisiana State Police, Louisiana

End of Watch Saturday, July 2, 1977

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Donald Charles Cleveland

Trooper Donald Cleveland was shot and killed during a traffic stop near Lafayette, Louisiana.

He had stopped the vehicle with juveniles inside on Louisiana 94 after it left a nightclub between Lafayette and Breaux Bridge.

The 17-year-old driver had just been released from prison for a murder he committed only two years earlier. The juvenile was sentenced to death for Trooper Cleveland's murder and was the last prisoner to be executed by the electric chair in Louisiana.

Trooper Cleveland had served with the Louisiana State Police for 1-1/2 years. He was survived by his wife and two children.

Bio

Age 26
Tour 1 year, 6 months
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
Offender Executed

convicted felon, juvenile offender, traffic stop

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I knew Donald in as a youth . He lived less than a half a mile from my house and was in Troop 19 Boy Scouts, He took up for the bullied. His wife Candance Smith was a lovely woman who was pregnant with their second to be born child.

Civilian
child friend

December 1, 2025