Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Lawrence Dorsey was shot and killed while responding to a man with a gun call at 380 Eastern Avenue, NE. When he arrived he discovered a man with a shotgun. He ordered the man to drop the gun and as he attempted to arrest him a struggle ensued. The man fired the shotgun twice, striking Officer Dorsey both times. Officer Dorsey succumbed to his wounds five days later. Officer Dorsey had been with the Metropolitan Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-DC-CD021BDA- 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.
Officer Dorsey gave the Metropolitan Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Washington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Dorsey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Lawrence Lewellyn Dorsey 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Metropolitan Police Department, 70 of 131 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lawrence Lewellyn Dorsey's cause is highlighted.
How Lawrence Lewellyn Dorsey Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lawrence Lewellyn Dorsey is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lawrence Lewellyn Dorsey was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
130 officers from Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
