Donald Lewis Strahan

RICHMOND, Ind. – Donald Lewis Strahan, age 89, of Richmond, died Wednesday, October 5, 2016, at Reid Health. Born December 3, 1926, in Richmond, Indiana, to Leon and Sarah Anderson Strahan, Donald was a life-long resident of this community. He graduated from Richmond High School in 1944. He also graduated from the FBI Academy in October 1970. Donald served in the U.S. Navy Air Force for two years during World War II. He worked in law enforcement his entire life joining the Richmond Police Department in 1951 and retiring as Chief of Police then Public Safety Director of Richmond after 23 years of service. After retiring from the Police Department, Donald worked for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office as Chief Investigator for 13 years. Finally, Donald was the interim Executive Director of the International Association of the Chiefs of Police from 1987-88. Donald was a member of the FBI National Academy Associates, Inc., of which he was President of the Indiana Chapter in 1975; International Association of Chiefs of Police; Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police; National Fraternal Order of Police, as well as the Richmond John Hennigar F.O.P. Lodge #63; and the American Legion Harry Ray Post #65. He attended Central United Methodist Church. Donald was the recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash honorary award from the Governor of Indiana. He was also made a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of Kentucky which is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Governor. Donald enjoyed traveling anywhere and everywhere in his spare time. He was a member of the Reid ‘Rock Steady Boxing’ program. Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Janice Benham Strahan; daughters, Cheryl (John) Strahan Sharp of Indianapolis, Indiana, Alene (Stephen Zweig) Strahan of Brooklyn, New York, and Lori (Pierce) Marshall of Richmond; son, Jeffrey (Esther) Strahan of Bluffton, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Julia (Brad Greenburg) Zweig, Jonathan Zweig, Derrick (Molly) Alderman, Brooke Alderman, and Amy, Laura, and Isaac Strahan; two step-grandchildren, Travis and Christian Marshall; sister, Tina Diane (Tom) Verellen of Anderson, South Carolina; nieces; nephews; cousins; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Doris Deon Allen. Visitation with honors provided by the Richmond Police Department for Donald Lewis Strahan will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 13, 2016, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 14, 2016, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home with Pastor Tom Ream officiating. Burial will be in Earlham Cemetery with military honors provided by the Wayne County Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305 or the National Parkinson Foundation, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Donald Lewis Strahan

December 3, 1926 - October 5, 2016