CASTLE ROCK, Colo -- The Colorado State Patrol is honoring fallen Trooper Cody Donahue during his favorite holiday, St. Patrick's Day, with a one-of-a-kind patrol car they'll drive in the annual parade on Saturday.
Donahue was hit and killed by a truck driver who didn't move over while he investigated a crash on I-25. It happened the day after Thanksgiving on Nov. 25, 2016.
"I miss him every day, I think about him non-stop, I go through an hour by hour," his wife, Velma Donahue, told Denver7.
"This is the second trooper we've lost in a year's time in this troop office, Cody was a teammate of mine," said Colorado State Patrol Cpl. Mike Honn.
Now, three months later, troopers are honoring Donahue's memory during the 55th annual Denver St. Patrick's Day Parade for a very specific reason.
"St. Patrick's Day was his favorite holiday," said Cpl. Honn.
"In our household... that is the holiday," said Donahue. "It was one of those 'do I do this, do I not do this' -- ultimately it's a celebration, it's a way to celebrate Cody. It's something I know he'll be a part of in spirit."
The patrol car has a blue and black sash over CSP's logo with Donahue's initials and badge number. It also has a green 'the heat is on' sticker.
His fellow troopers will drive it in the parade on Saturday. "This really means a lot to us, especially for our office," said Cpl. Honn.
The back of the patrol car also has a message for drivers everywhere. It reads, 'You can save a life, move over.'
"Move over. That's really what I want to say -- it's the law -- Cody would be here today if that law was followed," his wife said.
Donahue's family will also hold a banner in the parade that says 'move over for Cody.'
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