Donald Joe Pettit
1956 - 2008 (52 years)
Generation: 1
1. Donald Joe Pettit was born on 13 Mar 1956 in Indiana; died on 5 Aug 2008 in Pembroke Pines, Broward County, Florida; was buried in South Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth, Palm Beach County, Florida. Other Events:
- _MILT: Vietnam. Persian Gulf.
Notes:
Donald J. Pettit was a retired soldier and a Federal Agent, who lost his life on Tuesday Aug. 5, 2008, in an apparent traffic dispute, in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
Pettit, who was 52 years old, originally from Indiana, was married in Puerto Rico and was the father of 2 children, one who was in the car watching, when he was shot.
Don Pettit spent a lifetime in Military and Government service and also had a stint protecting former U.S. Secretary of Defense, Caspar Weinberger. He worked for U.S. Customs and Border Protection as a polygrapher and was unarmed when he was shot and killed.
His memorial service was held at the Omni Auditorium on Broward College's North Campus. With his flag-draped casket at the foot of the stage and an honor guard standing at attention, Governor Charlie Crist joined a line of speakers in praising the courage of officers like Pettit.
Words from his wife, Ileana, "Mi vida, my life, you were taken away so soon. Now you're my angel. I know you will watch over us until we meet again." His daughter, Gabriela, "I love you, Daddy."
The sadness and repercussions of ROAD RAGE.
_MILT:
US Army. Chief Warrant Officer 3.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28814363/donald-j-pettit