Donald G. Turnbaugh quietly and peacefully passed away in his sleep on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at the Suncoast Hospice in Palm Harbor, FL.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Judy (Moschelli) Turnbaugh, and his two sons, Scott C. Turnbaugh from Honolulu, HI, and Mark J. Turnbaugh of Kona, HI. Mark has two children serving in the military: Jordan Turnbaugh, U.S. Air Donald G. Turnbaugh Ryan Turnbaugh, U.S. Army.
Donald was born to Alma (Seyfer) Turnbaugh and Donald M. Turnbaugh in Baltimore, MD, on March 19, 1940. As a little boy, Donald knew he would be a Policeman when he grew up. He never wavered from his goal. After seeing a recruiting poster for Patrolman with the Baltimore Police Dept., there was no doubt in his mind that one day he would become a Police Officer. After all, the poster said the starting salary was $4,400 and within 4 years, the salary jumped to $5,000! Who couldnt live on $5,000 a year??? At the young age of 21, after serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Shadwell, he achieved his first goal when he became a Patrolman in Baltimore. Five years later, Donald was given the opportunity to become a Federal law enforcement officer with U.S. Customs Service.
His law enforcement career with U.S Customs Service afforded him the opportunity to go on special assignments which he enjoyed immensely. He was chosen to be one of the first Federal Sky Marshalls protecting the public from terrorists on airline flights. He enjoyed visiting many foreign countries. During the 1968 presidential campaigns, Donald was assigned to work protection for Vice President Hubert Humphreys delegation. Those were exciting times and he loved being part of history being made. From 1973 to 1974, Donald was temporarily assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration. U.S. Customs Service and worked in Tampa, FL; Washington, DC (Hqs.); Miami, FL; Houston, TX; and retirement in Baltimore, MD as Special Agent-in-Charge in 1995.
Donald's favorite assignment was as Director, Miami District Patrol. He recruited the best of the best to work for the Miami Patrol. Record drug seizures were being made as witnessed by all the seized fast boats tied up at the dock outside of his window.
Donald and Judy met in Miami and were married on Thanksgiving Day in 1977. They both worked in the law enforcement arena - Judy for the Miami Region and Donald for the Miami District. Their wedding was truly a “Custom” wedding in which employees of both the region and district had significant roles. Their mutual love of law enforcement continued through their 44 years of marriage as they worked together on CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) programs. Education: 1980 - BS, Criminal Justice, Florida International University, Miami, FL 1983 - Senior Executive Fellow, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
To promote CIT, he conducted workshops and made presentations at several national, state, and local police chief, sheriff and advocacy organizations conferences and meetings; and, appeared as a guest on TV and radio public service talk shows.
Donald was one of the founding fathers serving on the CIT (International) Board of Directors. He wrote extensively on CIT with several articles published in various law enforcement, mental health, and advocacy magazines and newsletters including: International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); Police Chief (1999 and 2014); Florida Police Chiefs Association (1999 and 2005); NAMI Advocate (1999); Florida Sheriffs Association; the Sheriffs Star (2000); Treatment Advocacy Center Catalyst (2000); and the National Sheriffs Association (2001 and 2004). In addition, several of his letters to the editors have been printed in the St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune.
As a charter member of the Florida CIT Coalition, he was committed to establishing core elements and standardized curriculum. Donald spearheaded community efforts to establish CIT in the Tampa Bay area. His leadership and persistence have earned him awards from diverse community segments; advocates, law enforcement, mental health providers, academia, and the news media. Most notably, were the shared awards he and his wife, Judy, received together: Awards: 1999 “End the Mystery” Achievement Award NAMI Pinellas County, FL 1999 Advocates of the Year NAMI Florida State Affiliate 1999 Sunrise Award Suncoast Center for Community Mental Health 2000 “10 Who Care” Award TV Channel 10, St. Petersburg, FL 2000 Community Service Leadership Award Pinellas County Sheriffs Office 2003 Outstanding Advocate Directions for Living 2004 Iris Award NAMI Pinellas County, FL 2014 CIT Co-Advocates of the Year CIT International 2014 NAMI National Co-Members of the Year NAMI National 2017 PEMHS Pacesetter Personal Enrichment for Mental Health Services 2018 Tampa Bay Lightning Community Heroes $50,000 Award Quote: “How law enforcement responds to behavior influences how society views that behavior.”
A celebration of Life will be held in Don's memory on Friday, August 19, 2022 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at Vincent House, 4801 78th Avenue, Pinellas Park, FL 33781.
Donald G. Turnbaugh Funeral Home Curlew Hills Memory Gardens Funeral Home 1750 Curlew Road Palm Harbor FL - 34683 US 727-789-2000 727-789-1741
