Gerald Patrick Donovan, age 84, of La Crosse WI, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday May,14^th 2013. He was Born on January, 11^th, 1929 in Milwaukee WI and attended St. Rose Parochial school and St. Pius High School in Milwaukee where he played football. He graduated in 1947.

He Married Lorraine H. Flock on Oct 16^th 1948 and began a family.

In April 1953, after graduating from the Milwaukee Police Academy, Mr. Donovan’s extensive police career began as a patrolman with the Milwaukee Police Department. In 1959 he was promoted to the Detective Bureau, investigating all major crimes. He was appointed Chief of Police for the city of Sparta WI. in 1963, at the age of 32, where he remained for 9 years. In 1971 he was hired as Chief of Police in Watertown WI.

In 1976 Mr. Donovan attended and graduated from the 104^th session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy at Quantico, VA.

In 1980, he moved to Sioux City, IA, again as Chief of Police, where he would eventually retire from law enforcement in 1990.

Mr. Donovan was the loving father of 9 children, 17 grandchildren and 2 great grand children and another on the way. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Patrick and Kathryn Donovan, his two brothers, Robert and Thomas Donovan, and by one great grandson, Kale Donovan.

He will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held Friday, May 17^th at 12:00 noon at Coulee Regional Cremation Group, 133 Mason Drive, Onalaska, WI. Msgr. Charles Stoetzel will officiate. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gerald’s name to your local food pantry or Human Society.