It is with profound shock and sadness

It is with profound shock and sadness that I must inform everyone that we lost a member this week to the most tragic of circumstances. 

 

Don Acree lived in Nashville, TN. His father was Maurice Acree (http://www.stopguardianabuse.org/mauriceacree.htm).  Don rarely posted to the egroup but he followed the conversations and he would occasionally email me or Sylvia off list.  A few years ago, the media was all over Tennessee, specifically Davidson County – the county of jurisdiction in Don’s father’s case.  Media was concentrated on the Danny Tate, Ginger Franklin, and Jewel Tinnon cases and did not feature Don’s father’s case. But that didn’t deter Don’s enthusiasm for the other victims; and he heavily advocated for reform using those cases to spotlight problems with the system while mentioning his father’s case as well.

 

Don Acree died during a police action April 30^th.  There are several articles on this tragedy and this URL is one:  http://www.fox10tv.com/story/28940658/police-investigating-shooting-in-south-nashville.

 

The articles will tell you that Don Acree suffered from paranoia; and in a delusional state, Don thought the FBI was following him, this delusion escalating until Don was sure even his neighbor was in on it – which led to an incident that eventually led to Don’s death when (according to the articles) Don allegedly pointed a gun at two police officers and they (allegedly) felt he was going to shot them, so they shot him.  He died at the scene.  He was only 53.

 

I did not know Don Acree prior to guardianship abuse and I didn’t know him well after he joined NASGA. But, I can say that in reviewing all the conversations I had with him via email, he never threatened anyone. He was upset about his father’s case, of course, but he was not violent nor was there a hint of violence in his personality.  Don’s twin brother, Bill, was quoted in one of the articles saying that he wanted Don to be remembered for being a good man, and that’s how I choose to remember him.

 

I ask you all to light a candle in your heart today for Don Acree and to wish him a happy reunion and everlasting rest and peace with his father, Maurice, who passed in 2013.

 

Prior to Don’s passing, we have previously lost Henry Dienema (FL), Kathy Howland (FL), and Rudy Bush (CO).  Please pause for a few moments today and honor them as well.