Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Mark Dabling was shot and killed while making a traffic stop. Unbeknownst to him, the violator was an escaped prisoner from Florida. The man exited the vehicle through the passenger side door and opened fire on Patrolman Dabling with a .44 caliber sawed-off rifle. The suspect fled the scene but was later arrested on I-25 south of the city. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. He will be eligible for parole in 2044. However, he was convicted of murder and first-degree robbery in Kentucky and will also have to serve that sentence. Patrolman Dabling had served with the Colorado Springs Police Department for 5 1/2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, father, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-B1AD9803- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Dabling gave the Colorado Springs Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Colorado Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Dabling.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Mark Layne Dabling 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 CO, 235 of 360 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.3% of this state's fallen. That is 65.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Colorado Springs Police Department, 8 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Mark Layne Dabling's cause is highlighted.
How Mark Layne Dabling Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Mark Layne Dabling is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Mark Layne Dabling was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Colorado Springs Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
