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Deputy Sheriff

Charles Edward Dobbertin

Douglas County Sheriff's Department — Omaha, NE

Felonious

End of Watch December 6, 1977

Age 41

The Vigil Panel 119 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Deputy Dobbertin succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained four days earlier when he shot while attempting to stop a man from stealing packages out of a delivery truck while off duty. Deputy Dobbertin observed the crime in progress and began chasing the suspect. As he rounded a corner, Deputy Dobbertin was struck in the face with a radio antenna. The suspect then grabbed his service revolver and shot him. The suspect was apprehended, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life in prison. Deputy Dobbertin had served with the agency for 7 years and had served for many years previously with another agency.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three daughters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NE-7D85164A
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Dobbertin served with the Douglas County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Omaha community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Dobbertin.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Douglas County Sheriff's Department

Location Omaha, NE

Platform Identity dcso.douglas.ne.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 6, 1977

Age 41

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Sentenced to life in prison

Deputy Sheriff Charles Edward Dobbertin is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In NE, 97 of 151 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.2% of this state's fallen. That is 10 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Douglas County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Douglas County Sheriff's Department

of 2 officers

100% Felonious

NE — Statewide

of 151 officers

64.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Edward Dobbertin's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Charles Edward Dobbertin Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to life in prison

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Edward Dobbertin is highlighted in Dec.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Edward Dobbertin was killed by officer's handgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Douglas County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.