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Celebration of Life for fallen Shelby County Deputy

News

April 24th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports a Celebration of Life parade on behalf of Sgt. Donovan Dontje will be held May 2nd. Parking will be at the Harlan Community High School (2102 Durant St., in Harlan). Visitors are welcome to arrive after 8-a.m. on that date, with the procession set to begin at 10-a.m. Sgt. Dontje died unexpectedly April 16th.  The Celebration of Life parade procession will pass by the family’s house in Shelby. Additional details can be found below.

Sgt. Donovan Dontje

Celebration of life parade details: When: Saturday May 2nd at 10:00-a.m.

Staging: All Law Enforcement, Fire/Ems, and Public will park at the Harlan Community High School 2102 Durant St. Harlan, IA. Parking will be designated, please see attached map. Parking will begin at 0800 hours and will be coordinated by volunteers in reflective vest. Social distancing will be practiced.

Route: Law Enforcement will lead, followed by Fire/EMS and then the public. We will leave the school and proceed on Durant St to the west, meeting Highway 59. The route will turn south on Highway 59 to Highway 44. It will turn west on Highway 44 and travel to county Road M-16 where it will turn south and proceed into the City of Shelby. See attached maps for the route.

Public: The public is invited to participate or park along the route and show their respects. Our request for those who would rather park along the route is that you do not park vehicles on the shoulders of the route and instead utilize field driveways, gravel roads, and parking lots.

Additional: Anyone wanting to decorate their vehicles please be advised this is a 15-mile route and we will be passing by the family on the driver side of your vehicle. Also be advised anyone bringing cards to give to the family, there will be a card collection box at the entrance of the parking lot at the initial gathering point.