Police Officer David Douglass Remembered

NORTH CAPE MAY – They’re grownups now but 20 years ago they were young children. Tina, Courtney and Dave Douglass stood together the Lower Township community who went to Town Bank Firehouse Feb. 18 to join members of the volunteer fire department to honor their father.
Police Officer David Douglass was on his regular shift 20 years ago, Feb. 18, 1994, when he responded to a call of a trespasser. Answering the call, Douglass encountered a disgruntled restaurant worker who was seeking revenge for being fired earlier that day. The man burgled his employer’s house and then set fire to it. While attempting to flee, he ran into Douglass.
The culprit was armed and when Douglass sought to apprehend him, the man killed him. The killer then fled to New York City on a New Jersey Transit bus. He was later extradited, tried and sentenced to life. It shook the community to its foundations. In a small town, the emergency responders, police and firemen are a tight knit bunch.
Douglass was a member of both. So on the 20th anniversary of his murder, those who knew him in life came to honor him with their memories. Police Chief William Mastriana began with a quote from John F. Kennedy on the importance of remembering heroes, men like Douglass.
Mayor Michael Beck, a former Philadelphia police officer, reminded those gathered, “We, the community, empower our police officers to represent us.” Their job puts them in danger and it cost Douglass his life, Beck recalled.
Several additional speakers included Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-1st) and retired Lower Township Police Chief Edward Donohue, who knew Douglass personally and remembered, “He always had a smile on his face.”
County Fire Coordinator Chief Art Treon said Douglass was an “instrumental member of the volunteer department.” In fact, Douglass was elected posthumously to the post of fire commissioner.
Police Officer Eric Coombs credited Douglass with his own law enforcement career. He held Douglass up as the kind of man all men, especially those in law enforcement, should aspire to be. Not only was Douglass beloved in his law enforcement community, he was a devoted husband to wife Debbie and the father of three young children. His son, Dave, was 12 at the time of Douglass’s death. Dave was out with his friends when he got the news. “I just ran,” he recalled. “I knew what happened.”
Dave followed in his father’s law enforcement footsteps. He is a deputy sheriff with the Cape May County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff Gary Schaffer, who was also present at the memorial, told the Herald that they gave Dave his father’s badge number.
Tina and Courtney, 15 and 10 at the time of the shooting, said growing up without a dad left a big hole in their lives. Douglass’ children also said they really appreciated the support and devotion to their father’s memory shown by the entire community.
Second Ward Councilman James Neville said it was important to remember men such as Douglass because they remind us what devotion to the community is. He said he would work tirelessly to maintain Douglass’ memory. Three-year-old grandson Benjamin can be assured when he is old enough there will be lots of people ready to tell him about his granddad and the hero he was.
To contact Helen McCaffrey, email hmccaffrey@cmcherald.com.