Officer Don Overton died after his squad car was broadsided on Hollywood in North Memphis by a car occupied by four teenaged theft suspects fleeing police. They have since been charged with felony murder.

Don, a 12-year veteran assigned to the North Precinct, was not involved in the chase.

Don’s wife, Karyn, gave birth to a son just a few weeks after Don's death. Don will never get to see his son, Joshua Walters Overton.

Joshua will never feel his father's touch, but he will know that his father was loved by his fellow officers and by the citizens of Memphis.

Radio station WMC-FM 99.7 conducted a 28-hour radioathon, Thursday the 14th and Friday the 15^th, to benefit the family of  Don Overton. The DJs, their staff, and volunteers raised over $350,000.00 dollars.

The outpouring of support city-wide was tremendous as hundreds of cars lined various intersections throughout the city to donate money to assist Don’s widow and their unborn son. During the radioathon donations flowed in from area businesses that included free baby furniture, baby food, and lawn service. Airline tickets were donated for auction, sold and then re-donated to raise even more money for the Overton family.

One supporter said that while she knew that the money could not replace Don at least it would ease Karen and Joshua’s burden of facing their life together without a husband or a daddy.