BAILEYVILLE, Maine — A deputy chief with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, with ties to the Houlton area, died unexpectedly Saturday morning.
According to published reports, Shawn Donahue Sr., 41, of Calais was traveling with his wife, Darlene and child to Bangor when he apparently suffered a heart attack. His wife was behind the wheel at the time of the incident.
Donahue was born in Houlton May 22, 1972, the son of Frederick and Deborah (Peters) Donahue, originally of Houlton. He graduated from Calais High School in 1990, and worked for his father’s business, Donahue Auto Supply. In 1995, Donahue started his law enforcement career with Calais Police Department until he attended the police academy in 1998. After graduating, he worked for the Baileyville Police Department from 1998-2009, working his way up to the rank of sergeant.
Between 2009-10, Shawn was a patrol deputy for Washington County Sheriff’s Department until accepting the position of chief for the Baileyville Police Department, a position he held from 2010-13. In January, 2013, he went back to the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, where he served as the chief deputy until his passing.
According to his obituary, Donahue’s most precious times were those spent with his family, attending the Peters family reunions on Drews Lake in New Limerick, and spending time at the Cochran family camp on Farrows Lake in Topsfield.
His uncle, Bart Peters of Houlton, said the family was shocked to learn of Shawn’s sudden passing.
“Shawn’s infectious grin and soothing tone will be forever remembered by those who were fortunate enough to have passed his way,” Peters said. “The warmth in his stories of his daughter and sons made you feel like you were there. To me, there was no greater pride than to see him and his brother in uniform.”
Donahue was an avid New England sports fan and enjoyed watching any Red Sox, Patriots, or Celtics games.
He is survived by his wife, Darlene (Cochran) Donahue of Baileyville; three children, Pfc Nathan Phelps, US Army, of Ft. Bragg, N.C., and Teagan and Shawn Donahue Jr., both of Baileyville; his parents, Frederick and Deborah Donahue of Bangor; a brother, Christopher Donahue and wife, Peggy, of Calais; father and mother-in-law, Lyman and Kathleen Cochran of Waite; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mitchell and Donna Cochran of Waite, Jeffrey and Terry Cochran of Topsfield, and Robert and Betty Phelps of Topsfield; nieces and nephews, Ryan Roberts, Alexis and Karigan Donahue, Elizabeth and Naomi Scott, Devon Reynolds, Courtney, Tyler, Thomas and Taylor Cochran, Ryan Beers and Jalen Phelps.
Visiting hours will be held 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Washington County Community College in Calais. A celebration of Donahue’s life will be held 1 p.m. Thursday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to assist the family in care of Sgt. Brandon Parker of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, 83 Court St., Machias, ME 04654. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.maysfuneralhome.com.
