Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Lawson suffered a fatal heart attack two hours struggling with a prisoner inside the police headquarters facility in the basement of the city hall.
The prisoner had been arrested for being drunk in public and disorderly a short time earlier at a tavern at 306 E. Market Street when he interfered as Patrolman Lawson attempted to question a woman. As Patrolman Lawson booked the man, a struggle ensued in which Patrolman Lawson was struck in the chest.
He complained about chest pain and was taken to a local hospital where he died two hours later. The man was charged with assault, drunk in public, and disorderly conduct. The suspect pled guilty to assault and battery, fined $90, and sentenced to 30 days.
Patrolman Lawson had served with the Louisville Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-44EDC3D7- 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.
Patrolman Lawson gave the Louisville Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Lawson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John Arthur Lawson is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 4% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KY, 44 of 983 officers were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 4.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.5 percentage points above the national rate of 4%.
At Louisville Police Department, 2 of 91 officers on record were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 2.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Cardiac compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Arthur Lawson's cause is highlighted.
How John Arthur Lawson Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with assault
When Cardiac Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Cardiac deaths across the full memorial record. John Arthur Lawson is highlighted in Oct.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
90 officers from Louisville Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
