Suspect held in fatal stabbing (victim, 73, was retired AF colonel)

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal ^ | HENRI BRICKEY AND ERIC FINLEY

[atomic conspiracy]

I live in Lubbock.

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.

[Red Badger]

Why would a 25 year old nobody do such a horrible thing?......Drugs? Robbery? Gang initiation?......

[L98Fiero]

“Why would a 25 year old nobody do such a horrible thing?”

Predatory animals prey on the weak and slow.

[ImaTexan]

ping

[starbase]

This is such a disgusting crime! Too bad the colonel wasn't armed at the time like that retired marine who offed two scumbags down in, I believe, Florida.

Random violence, racism, who knows? Maybe the guy was jacked on meth and just ran around randomly attacking people.

What a shame, after such great service to his country the colonel performed. May he rest in peace.

[NonValueAdded]

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.

[sweet_diane]

"Police didn't know Monday evening why a man ran into McCullough's garage, fought with him and stabbed him to death. "

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.

[RSmithOpt]

A freaked out meth head?

[Red Badger]

Possibly, or a crack-head. Not that it makes any difference. This appears to be a totally senseless killing, for no reason at all..............

[khnyny]

Prayers for Colonel Donald J. McCullough and his family. What a tragic, senseless loss.

[showme_the_Glory]

I am sickened. Prayers to this Colonel’s family. Swift and sure justice for his murderer.

[basil]

What a truly beautiful story—which is now a tribute to this fallen hero.

[sweetiepiezer]

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.

[badpacifist]

Let me open a can of worms....then you can flame away but I want to point out something that everyone sees. I live near a major big mid western city and on our local news they show much video. Rarely do they actually say what the above article says, “black man” but they do show pictures. Now whites do have plenty of real sickos murderers, child molesters, etc. and they Hispanic population is growing fast and of course the methodists are out there.
My point is that the everyday crime on the local news everywhere I have lived appears to be 80% black and has as long as I can remember wherever we lived in this country.
People will always think of crime first when some kid comes through their neighborhood if he is black. I am guilty of it ....but I am not ashamed because it is a reality. When reading this article I felt sad for the old man but also for any other black male who might come there to sell things for school, do odd jobs, etc. As far as racism .....don’t wait for trust.... it isn’t coming, you have to earn it and that would take decades. ‘mmkay open fire!

[JFC]

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!!!

[RSmithOpt]

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.

[Gay State Conservative]

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.

Although he might have been a bit young I'm prepared to declare the Colonel to be a member of The Greatest Generation.

[MuttTheHoople]

Is the killer linked to the Democrat Party? Bush derangement syndrome?

[org.whodat]

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.

[cubreporter]

What a beautiful tribute to kind and caring human being.