By Tim Badgley
Lincoln County Sheriff Deputy Kevin Dennison places a memorial cross to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the death of Lincoln County Detective Sgt. Donald Davey at the site where he was killed in the line of duty on Route 1 in Nobleboro July 30. Saluting from left: Sgt. Jason Nein, Lt. Rand Maker, Lt. Michael Murphy, Detective Sgt. Ronald Rollins, and Detective Scott Hayden. (Tim Badgley photo) |
Three memorial ceremonies were held July 30 to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the day Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Detective Sgt. Donald E. Davey died in the line of duty.
Donald Davey had been called out on a case during the early morning of July 30, 1984, and was driving on U.S. 1 toward Wiscasset when his car was struck and run over by a semi truck in Nobleboro, said his brother, retired Knox County Sheriff Dan Davey.
Donald Davey left behind his wife Laurinda and their two daughters, Jessica and Cecily, age 9 and 5 at the time of his death.
“It was a very sad time for us all,” Dan Davey said. “My brother meant a lot to me and we did a lot of things together. It was a real blow at the time we lost him.”
Dan said he served with the Maine State Police for 8 years and as a detective along with his brother in the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office for 11 years before he was elected as Knox County Sheriff.
Dan said three locations were selected at which his brother’s life and service were commemorated July 30.
Memorial ceremonies began with a very brief ceremony, placing flowers at the Donald E. Davey Bridge, which crosses the Sheepscot River, connecting Edgecomb and Wiscasset, Dan Davey said.
Two years following his brother’s death, Dan said the Edgecomb-Wiscasset bridge was named in Don’s memory, as a result of the work of state legislators.
Later, the rain was pouring in sheets as the group of family, friends, and active and retired officers of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office traveled to the site where Don lost his life in Nobleboro.
An honor guard of six deputy sheriffs placed a memorial cross at the side of the road following a salute to their fallen comrade.
Don’s daughter Cecily Havener attended with her two children and her mother, Don’s widow Laurinda Cushman, all residents of Friendship.
“This is a nice way to remember Don. I’m very pleased,” Laurinda said. “He was a wonderful man, a wonderful police officer, father and husband.”
The final ceremony of the day was held at the Friendship cemetery where Don was laid to rest. Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett spoke, Dan said.
“U.S. Marshal Noel March also spoke on why he admired Don and the way he lived his life,” Dan said. “He knew Don personally having spent his summers in Friendship near us while we were growing up.”
Dan said his brother was one of those people who could deal with anyone and was particularly fair in treating suspects and those convicted of crimes.
“He always treated them as human beings,” Dan said. “It was astounding how many showed up at his funeral. That’s highly unusual.”
Dan said that his brother’s character and fairness with all people was remembered by everyone – and that he always had a smile on his face.
Dan echoed Laurinda’s feelings about the memorial ceremonies when he said how important the three commemorative events were to him personally and to their whole family.
“This was all very well planned,” Dan said. “They did a very good job.”
