Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Watchman Dotson was killed when he interrupted a burglary in progress. Night Watchman Dotson was performing his rounds when he found someone crouched in the doorway of the Hassayampa drug store. He assumed it was a drunk and ordered the man to step out. In response, three shots rang out. Watchman Dotson was able to return fire and tell a witness what happened and that the suspect was staying in a local hotel before he died. The 34-year-old suspect was hiding in a bus and jumped the driver when he was making sure everyone had gotten off. The driver was able to knock him unconscious and he was taken into custody. Dotson had hit him twice in the leg and once in the arm. He was later convicted and sentenced to life in the Arizona Penitentiary. He escaped in November of 1953 and was captured in June of 1954 in New Mexico. He escaped again on May 7, 1968, when he simply walked away from his trustee job outside of the prison. Watchman Dotson had served with the agency for only 9 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-D97BBA43- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Clarence. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Night Watchman Dotson served with the Wickenburg Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wickenburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Watchman Dotson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Watchman Clarence N. Dotson 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 AZ, 204 of 330 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Clarence N. Dotson's cause is highlighted.
How Clarence N. Dotson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clarence N. Dotson is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clarence N. Dotson was killed by gun; unknown type.