Donald A. "Ike" Eichman

Donald A. “Ike” Eichman

Donald A. “Ike” Eichman of Jackson, California, passed away on October 30, 2026, at the age of 82, surrounded by the family and loved ones he cherished. Born in 1944 in San Mateo, Ike was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, a man of quiet strength who never shied away from hard work or responsibility. He took great pride in what he built, both at work and at home, but nothing made him prouder than his family.

Ike’s career in public service lasted more than 50 years. He began as a CDF firefighter in 1963 and worked his way up to engineer, fire captain, and fire investigator. Along the way he was part of the very first peace officer class trained at the CDF Academy in Ione. In 1973 he moved his family to Amador County to join the Academy as an instructor, and he remained a familiar fixture there for decades. He went on to serve as the Academy’s Director of Law Enforcement Training, building the peace officer and arson investigation programs that have shaped generations of officers. Graduating from the FBI National Academy in Quantico in 1982 was among his proudest achievements. As a member of the CDF Arson Investigation Unit, he personally investigated more than 800 fires and testified many times as an expert witness in Superior Court. After retiring as a Division Chief, he traveled the world with SIMUNITION teaching firearms safety to police and military instructors. He later returned to CAL FIRE as a Retired Annuitant, conducting background and special investigations through 2025. CAL FIRE named him the first recipient of its Director of Law Enforcement Training Distinguished Service Award, honoring more than 35 years of service to law enforcement training. Ike also gave back to the community he called home for more than 50 years, serving on the Amador County Grand Jury and as past president of the Amador County Peace Officers Association.

At home, Ike’s hands were never idle. He could build or fix just about anything, and there was always a project underway. A lifelong outdoorsman, he was happiest somewhere sunny and hot, whether he was backpacking, fishing, or riding dirt bikes. Retirement brought two of his greatest joys: tending the family’s olive farm, where he produced olive oil under the Albero di Oro label, and his annual salmon fishing trip to British Columbia’s Queen Charlotte Islands, which he looked forward to all year.

Ike is survived by his wife, Carol; his daughter, Heather; his son, Todd; his grandchildren, Kai, River, and Sudi; and his sister, Judi. He was loved and admired by so many and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

A celebration of life service will be held at Daneri Mortuary on Friday, January 8th, 2027 at 11:00 am, located at 415 Broadway, Jackson, CA 95642