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Incident
Police Officer Harvey Lawson was shot and killed while making a traffic stop on Fourth Street, near Market Street. The driver had been arrested earlier in the day on a drunk driving charge but was released to his wife. His wife later notified police that the man was driving again. The man was convicted of Officer Lawson's murder and sentenced to 50 years in prison. Officer Lawson had served with the Clarksville Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Police Officer Lawson gave the Clarksville Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Clarksville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Lawson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Clarksville Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Harvey is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Harvey is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Harvey is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1985, 3 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1985, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1985, 125 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harvey was 21. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Harvey had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harvey was 21. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Harvey had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harvey was 21. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Harvey had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 9.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 13%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Clarksville Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Clarksville Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Harvey among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Clarksville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.