Donald Keith West, a 39-year-old male of Caucasian ethnicity from Benson, NC, tragically died on July 18, 2006. He was the president and CEO of West-Tek Inc., a private police company based in Smithfield, NC. West had a long career in law enforcement, having served as a correctional officer at Central Prison in Raleigh and as a police officer in Smithfield before founding his own security company.
West's death was determined to be a homicide.
His girlfriend, Tiffany Ann Bassett, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with his death. Bassett eventually pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 221 to 275 months in prison. The case concluded with Bassett's guilty plea, which brought an end to the trial that had begun earlier that year.
The investigation into West's death revealed that he was found shot in the bedroom of the home he shared with Bassett. The circumstances surrounding the shooting were not fully disclosed, but it was noted that Bassett had called emergency personnel to report the incident. The case drew significant attention due to the nature of West's work in law enforcement and the tragic circumstances of his death.
West is remembered by his family, friends, and colleagues as a dedicated and respected individual who made significant contributions to the field of law enforcement. His legacy lives on through his daughter, Lily Marie West, and the impact he had on the community through his work.
