Donovan Svab Benevolent Fund

The FOP Lodge #149 has established a fund for the family of Donovan Svab. Anyone wishing to donate to the fund may do so at any Key Bank location.

Donations should be made to the "Donovan Svab Benevolent Fund". The account number is 352621004238. Anyone wishing to donate will need the account number. If you do not have a Key Bank in your area, contact Ron Haines or David Casasanta. They can deposit the money for you. To find the branch nearest you please visit the following website: https://www.key.com/index.html

The account was opened at the branch located at:

58 S Maple St
Orwell, OH 44076
(440) 437-5141

In Memory of

Donovan Svab

ODNR Park Officer: 1996 - Aug. 26, 2007

Park Officer Donavan Svab, 38, of Portage Lakes State Park Region passed away Sunday, August 26th 2007, as a result of a traffic crash on his way home from the park. He leaves behind his wife Nicki, son Donny (17), daughter McKenna (9) and son Brady (5). Donovan was also a member of the Garrettsville Police Department.

Donovan was a champion of OVI and Drug Enforcement and most recently was involved in training officers from the Division of Parks in OVI Law changes. Officer Svab joined the Division of Parks and Recreation in 1996 as an intermittent park officer at Punderson State Park. He also served as a full-time officer at Punderson and Guilford Lake state parks before transferring to Portage Lakes State Park in 2002.

The crash occurred at 3:20 a.m. on Sunday. The driver of the other vehicle, Christopher R. Jones, age 22 from Kent was hospitalized in serious condition. According to the Ravenna Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 3:20 a.m. Sunday on Diagonal Road, just north of Frost Road. Preliminary information indicates Donovan was driving a 1999 Ford Taurus northbound on Diagonal Road when the vehicle Jones was driving southbound on Diagonal Road, a 2002 Acura RSX, went left of center, striking Donovan’s vehicle head-on. Neither driver was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, the patrol said. Donovan’s vehicle rolled over and came to rest on its roof in a ditch, the patrol said. Donavan was pronounced dead at the scene by the Portage County Coroner's Office.

It took medics more than one hour to extricate Jones from his vehicle, and he was flown to Cleveland Metro Hospital where he was listed in critical condition on Monday. No charges have been filed and the crash remains under investigation by the Ohio State Patrol.

Donovan was a great officer, instructor, and most importantly, a friend.

The below message is from Nicole Svab, wife of Donavan Svab.

On August 26, 2007 my husband, Donovan E. Svab passed away in a tragic car accident. I lost my husband, best friend and my children lost their father. But all was not lost; I gained a new vision on life, love, friendship and loyalty through all the support that came to my family and me at this tragic time. This loving and caring support came from family, friends, neighbors, park officers, police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, co-workers, the fraternal order of police, prosecutors and support staff, teachers, area businesses, area restaurants and total strangers. It is this support that is guiding and helping my family through this loss. I struggle to find the words to express my sincere thanks to all those who have come to me and my children to help us through this tragic time. My husband used to convey to me frequently a saying that I never fully understood until now. He would say “…us cops, we take care of our own…” To all of the officers and law enforcement departments that showed their support to me, my children and Donovan, I would like to thank you not only for your help and kindness but for showing me the true meaning of loyalty. On behalf of Donovan, myself, our children, his brothers Dustin and Dannon, parents Daniel and Deirdre I would like to thank everyone for all the kindness, generosity, support and love that has been shown to us.

Thank you
Nicole Svab

Name: RT Lowry

Donovan was a good friend to me as well has my family at PLSP. One afternoon when I was off loading a PWC for a patrol at PLSP he jokingly asked "when am I going to be able to go out on one of those things" I said right now if you really want to! He lit up like a 100 watt light bulb. He ran up to the office only to find out he didn't have any uniform shorts and only one pair of boots. He was not going to be denied. He launched the other jet ski (after I showed him how to put it in reverse)and rode with me in full uniform and a pair of water boots I lent him. We had a blast. He got that machine on full plane and returned to me soaking wet and his glasses were fogged I am sure he couldn't see a thing. He let my water boots mildew and those damn things still stink cuz of him. I was tempted to reply to the next BOLO I heard after his passing with "83's got it" He is missed!!!!