Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Lawson was shot and killed on his second day of duty by a disgruntled former officer. Officer Lawson had been hired to replace this former officer, who had just been fired by the chief. Upon hearing that Officer Lawson had been hired, the former officer searched for him and shot him several times when he was located.
The suspect was convicted of the murder and sentenced to 25 years. He died in prison March 8, 1924.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TX-9D5BC9F4- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Lawson served with the Galveston Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Galveston 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
Police Officer John B. Lawson 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 TX, 1,461 of 2,422 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Galveston Police Department, 10 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 52.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John B. Lawson's cause is highlighted.
How John B. Lawson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John B. Lawson is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John B. Lawson was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Galveston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
