Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Dawson was called to 139 University Street, Belfast, regarding a suspect hold-all found in the front garden.
As Michael was speaking to the householder, a bomb within the hold-all exploded, killing the female and seriously injuring the officer.
Constable Dawson, a married man, was taken to Belfast City Hospital but died from his wounds soon after.
The previous year, while carrying a bomb to the same house, a man was injured when the bomb detonated prematurely.
In Our Keeping
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BO-GB-RUC-31D2A7D3- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 8, 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.
Constable Dawson served with the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Dawson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Michael William Dawson is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NIR, 422 of 599 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.5% of this state's fallen. That is 16.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Royal Ulster Constabulary GC, 351 of 469 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 74.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael William Dawson's cause is highlighted.
How Michael William Dawson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael William Dawson is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
468 officers from Royal Ulster Constabulary GC are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
