SPOKANE, Wash. – The Washington State Patrol is reaching out to the community to reconnect with the family of Patrolman Don Campbell Jr., who died in the line of duty on December 21, 1951.
Campbell was born on April 23, 1922, in Ekalaka, Montana. His family relocated to Spokane in 1936, where he graduated from Rogers High School in 1940.
Following his father’s footsteps, Campbell served in the United States Army infantry during World War II, reaching the rank of second lieutenant.
After returning from military service, Campbell joined the Washington Highway Patrol as a vehicle inspector in Vancouver on September 7, 1945.
He soon transferred to Spokane and later became a Patrolman with the Washington State Patrol on May 1, 1948.
In a tragic incident, Campbell was struck by a truck while directing traffic around a stalled vehicle on the Pacific Highway near Vancouver.
He was 29 years old at the time of his death and had served six years with the Washington State Patrol. He left behind his wife, Anita, and daughter, Rhonda Rae.
Campbell was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in May 1998 for his actions on the day of his death. He was also honored on December 22, 2021, during a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of his line of duty death.
The Washington State Patrol has since lost contact with Campbell’s family. Anyone with information about his family is urged to contact Megan King at (360) 597-4411 or wspmemorialfoundation@gmail.com.
