Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy "Beefy" Lawson was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a suspect. Deputy Lawson was off duty, but at the request of the suspect's estranged wife, he reported onto duty and went to arrest the man. The suspect had been arrested by Deputy Lawson on several previous occasions. After shooting Deputy Lawson, the man took his two young children hostage for 18 hours before he was taken into custody. The 27-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was denied parole in January 2016 and again in January 2021. As of April 4, 2023, he was in prison. Deputy Lawson had been with the Itasca County Sheriff's Office for 11 years. He was survived by his wife and seven children. Two of his sons went on to serve as officers with Itasca County. His name lives on through the Beefy Lawson Memorial Fund, which has given more than $250,000 to youth recreation projects in the area.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-F9011DD9- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Robert. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Lawson gave the Itasca County Sheriff's Office 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Grand Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Lawson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Robert R. Lawson 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 97,756 officers honored here.
In MN, 173 of 293 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59% of this state's fallen. That is 59 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Itasca County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert R. Lawson's cause is highlighted.
How Robert R. Lawson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert R. Lawson is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert R. Lawson was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Itasca County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
