Daniel Patrick Mahoney

Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Dan was an adventurous - and sometimes ornery - youth but by the time he graduated high school, he knew he wanted to be a cop. Detoured by the Vietnam War, Daniel enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving one tour in Vietnam. While away from home, Dan became engaged to the love of his life, Susan Statler, and on April 18, 1970, seven days after returning home from the war, Dan and Sue were married. Thus, began their 48-year love affair, moving to wherever the Air Force sent them; from Alaska, where daughter Dana was born, all the way to Panama, where son Jason was born. Dan and his family could be found exploring in the woods, fishing any body of water he could find, off-roading in his Toyota Landcruiser, or hitting golf balls – badly – on the golf course with friends. Dan, blessed with the gift of gab, never met a stranger and he never passed up an opportunity to tell you a story.

After 24-years in the Air Force, 20 years of which spent in Security Police, Dan retired in 1992 and began his 19-year career with the U.S. Mint Police in Denver, Colorado before retiring a final time in 2011. Despite being retired, Dan never stopped being a warrior. He loved his country and flag fiercely, and his love for our nation’s first responders and military was only surpassed by his love for his family and God. His was a heart of generous compassion and our lives are better because of him. We are comforted knowing that he has been reunited with his sweetheart, Sue, who preceded him in death earlier this year.

Rest easy, Dan. We have the watch from here.