Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrol Officer John Dotson was shot and killed by a man he was writing a speeding citation to on Highway 43 in Saraland. His body was found beside his patrol car with the suspect's ticket clutched in his hand. The 45-year-old subject who shot him was apprehended, found guilty of capital murder, and sentenced to life without parole. In 1989 and again in 1992 he received new trials and was sentenced to life without parole each time. Officer Dotson had served with the Chickasaw Police Department for almost two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife, parents, two sisters, and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-F402DF8B- 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
You barely got started.
Patrol Officer Dotson gave the Chickasaw Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Chickasaw community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Dotson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrol Officer John Ward Dotson 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chickasaw Police Department, 1 of 2 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. John Ward Dotson's cause is highlighted.
How John Ward Dotson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Ward Dotson is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Ward Dotson was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Chickasaw Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
