Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Coleman Dawson was shot and killed and another officer was shot and wounded while attempting to arrest a suspected horse thief just across the state line near Rockport in Spencer County, Indiana. The suspect had brought a horse, stolen in Indiana, to Owensboro and sold it, investing part of the proceeds in two revolvers. Upon his return to Indiana, the Spencer County sheriff called for assistance from officers in Owensboro. Shortly before 9 p.m, the sheriff heard several shots and soon thereafter found the body of Patrolman Dawson and his wounded partner on a country road nearby. Despite initially eluding a posse organized by the sheriff, the suspect was captured two weeks later at a rooming house in St. Louis, Missouri, and returned to Indiana. Authorities had learned of the suspect's location from a letter he sent which was intended for his girlfriend. The letter also revealed his real identity, an Indiana parolee with a lengthy criminal record. On Nov. 5, 1912, he escaped along with three other male prisoners from the Vanderburgh County Jail in Evansville, Indiana. He was recaptured four years later, charged with second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, where he ultimately died in 1931. Patrolman Dawson had served with the Owensboro Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-CF5DB7B4- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew J.. 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.
Patrolman Dawson gave the Owensboro Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Owensboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Dawson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman J. Coleman Dawson 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Owensboro Police Department, 3 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. J. Coleman Dawson's cause is highlighted.
How J. Coleman Dawson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. Coleman Dawson is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. Coleman Dawson was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Owensboro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
