Posted on 07/10/2007 6:02:29 AM PDT by atomic conspiracy
Suspect held in fatal stabbing BY HENRI BRICKEY AND ERIC FINLEY AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Lubbock Police arrested a 25-year-old man in the Monday evening stabbing death of a retired U.S. Air Force colonel.
Donald J. McCullough, 73, was killed around 5:30 p.m. inside the garage of his Southwest Lubbock home as he unloaded dry cleaning from his SUV.
He and his wife were headed to San Antonio today to attend the Air Force retirement ceremony of their son, said a longtime friend who later arrived at the scene.
Police didn't know Monday evening why a man ran into McCullough's garage, fought with him and stabbed him to death.
Joe Don Buckner / Staff A police investigator photographs an area in front of an open hatch on an SUV Monday where an apparent homicide took place at 8017-Vinton Avenue. Order a print
Alonzo Labance Lewis was arrested at a nearby business hours after the attack and charged with capital murder.
Neighbor Tony Guillory, who lives next door to the home at 8017 Vinton Ave., said he spoke to McCullough's wife moments after the attack.
"She went outside and he was being beaten up," Guillory said.
McCullough's wife told police her husband had returned from running errands and had made one trip inside before going back to the garage to continue unloading the vehicle.
Then "she heard him calling 'call 911,'" Lt. Scott Hudgens said.
McCullough's wife told police her husband's attacker, a heavyset black man with a red shirt, dark cap and a limp, ran down an alley across the street.
Police searched a wide area around the home, just two blocks north of 82nd Street near Slide Road, with help from tracking dogs and a Department of Public Safety helicopter.
Officers searched door-to-door through homes with neatly manicured lawns and as well as nearby businesses, including the BodyWorks Family Sports Center across 82nd Street.
McCullough was a deputy commander of Reese Air Force Base in the late 1980s, responsible for 400 officers, airmen and civilians involved with resource management. He headed two regional economic development groups after retiring from the Air Force in 1988.
Longtime friend Dana Tartaglione, who arrived at the home, said McCullough flew F-4 Phantoms in the Vietnam War. Their son flew F-16s in Desert Storm, Tartaglione said.
The McCullough's attend St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Lubbock, he said.
About 10 years ago, I woke up one morning feeling desperately and suddenly ill. I was running a high fever and could barely stand (it turned out to be botulinin poisoning and was potentially fatal). I had felt fine the night before. I called my doctor and he agreed to see me right away. As luck would have it, my wife was out of town so, rather than trouble any of my friends, I unwisely resolved to drive myself to the doctor's office.
I was on 82nd, the main avenue mentioned in the story, when my car died in the middle of the street. I managed to pull onto a side street and coasted to a stop in front of one of the houses. I fumbled for my cell phone and realized that I had left it at home.
At that point, a kindly looking man in his 60s came out of the house and asked if I was alright. I explained that I was on the way to the doctor and asked if I could use his phone. I was really too sick by this time to stand, let alone think coherently. He said, "Tell you the truth, you don't look so good. We can call an ambulance, but it's just a few blocks, I can get you there faster." His wife had come outside by then and they bundled me into his truck and drove me to the doctor's office. He told me to let them know how I was doing and they went on their way. I phoned later and sent them a thank-you note and some flowers a few days later. This man was a total stranger, somebody who had literally just found me on the street but whose kindness and sense of duty demanded that he take action.
That kindly samaritan was retired Colonel Donald J. McCullough, the victim in yesterday's stabbing. He has gone to a better world but our world is a darker place for his passing.
Why would a 25 year old nobody do such a horrible thing?......Drugs? Robbery? Gang initiation?......
“Why would a 25 year old nobody do such a horrible thing?”
Predatory animals prey on the weak and slow.
ping
Amazing story, thank you for your testimony to the character of the Colonel. May he Rest In Peace and our prayers go out to his family. What a horrible and senseless crime.
First off..what an awesome story about this man coming to your aid.
Just wondering if road rage may have played a role in this?
Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
A freaked out meth head?
Possibly, or a crack-head. Not that it makes any difference. This appears to be a totally senseless killing, for no reason at all..............
Prayers for Colonel Donald J. McCullough and his family. What a tragic, senseless loss.
I am sickened. Prayers to this Colonel’s family. Swift and sure justice for his murderer.
What a truly beautiful story—which is now a tribute to this fallen hero.
Thank you for posting the story.
How sad that this giving man was taken so violently.
PRayers up for his family and for the loss you must feel also.
I live here also, and this is the most senseless death of many I have seen in a while. So sad. This guy needs to be put to death ASAP, but the libs will say he was retarded. I don’t care what his mental status is. He killed in daylight a man who was in his own garage. Shameless!!!
And that is the case in many instances.....truly, senseless killing / murder. Takes a really ‘big man’ to assault and kill a senior citizen, don’t it? No excuse...the perp should be ‘fried’ regardless, when caught and convicted.
Although he might have been a bit young I'm prepared to declare the Colonel to be a member of The Greatest Generation.
Is the killer linked to the Democrat Party? Bush derangement syndrome?
McCullough’s wife told police her husband’s attacker, a heavyset black man with a red shirt, dark cap and a limp, ran down an alley across the street.
What a beautiful tribute to kind and caring human being.
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