Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant Corey Dahlem was struck and killed by a drunk driver while on foot patrol during celebration ceremonies following a championship game that the University of Florida's basketball team won.
Lieutenant Dahlem was walking across West University Avenue, which had been closed to vehicular traffic when a pickup truck turned onto the roadway and struck him from behind at approximately 2:30 a.m. The driver of the truck immediately fled in the vehicle but was boxed in a short distance away by two officers.
The driver was taken into custody and charged in connection with the incident.
Lieutenant Dahlem was transported to a local hospital in extremely critical condition. He died from his injuries 19 hours later, after being taken off of life support.
On October 4, 2007, the suspect entered a guilty plea of aggravated manslaughter of a law enforcement officer. A blood test showed that the suspect had a blood alcohol level of 0.271 more than three times the legal limit the night he struck Lieutenant Dahlem. On December 12, 2007, the suspect was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Lieutenant Dahlem had served with the Gainesville Police Department for 22 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-363026CD- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
22 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Dahlem gave the Gainesville Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Gainesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Dahlem.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant Corey Dahlem is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 53.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Gainesville Police Department, 2 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Corey Dahlem's cause is highlighted.
How Corey Dahlem Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Corey Dahlem is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Corey Dahlem was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Gainesville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
