Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Fred Dawes was shot and killed by a suspect he had just arrested for stealing bags of feed from a grain company. Sheriff Dawes was approached by the grain company owner who had had several sacks of feed stolen. The owner had discovered three sacks of feed sitting in front of the building. Sheriff Dawes and the owner waited for the suspected thief to return. When a man appeared at about 2200 hours, they took him into custody and took him to the grain company office. Sheriff Dawes turned his back on the suspect to put some keys from the suspect's pocket on a table. As Sheriff Dawes turned back, the suspect shot him in the heart with a .32-caliber revolver. The suspect then engaged in a running gun battle with two officers. The suspect was shot four times and died several hours later of his injuries. Sheriff Dawes had been employed with the Vernon County Sheriff's Department for 2 1/2 years and was survived by his wife, three daughters, and a son. He is buried in Newton Burial Park, Nevada, Vernon County, Missouri.
Survivors
Sheriff Dawes had been employed with the Vernon County Sheriff's Department for 2 1/2 years and was survived by his wife, three daughters, and a son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-FE7B70C0- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Fred. 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.
Sheriff Dawes gave the Vernon County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nevada community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Dawes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Fred O. Dawes 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Vernon County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Fred O. Dawes's cause is highlighted.
How Fred O. Dawes Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Fred O. Dawes is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Fred O. Dawes was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Vernon County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
